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MAJOR-C.EXERAL PHILIP KEARNY, 
The Brigade's First Commander. 



HISTORY 



OF 



The First Brigade, New Jersey Volunteers 

FROM 1 861 TO iS65 

COMPILED UNDER THE AUTHORIZATION OF KEARNY'S 
FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE SOCIETY 



CAMILLE BAQUET 

( ■ 

SECOND LIEUTENANT, COMPANY A, FIRST REGIMENT, 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS 



PUBLISHED BY THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY 

J9I0 



TRENTON, N. J. 
MacCrellish & Quigley, State Printers, Opposite Post Office. 

igio 



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CONTENTS. 



BRIGADE HISTORY. 

PAGE. 

First Year, S-iQ 

Under Kearny: Formation — Instruction— Finished Organization- 
Little River Turnpike — Sangster's Station — First Battle of 
Manassas — Advance on Manassas. 

Second Year, 20-72 

Under Taylor: Peninsular Campaign — West Point — Gaines' Mills — 

Charles City Cross Roads — Second Battle of Manassas. 
Under Torberf: Crampton's Pass — Antietam — First Fredericks- 
burg — Mud March. 

Third Year, 73-175 

Under Torbert: Salem Heights (Second Fredericksburg) — Gettys- 
burg — Fairfield — Rappahannock Station — Mine Run — Reconnais- 
sance to Culpepper Court House. 
Under Penrose: Wilderness — Spottsylvania Court House — Cold 
Harbor — Shenandoah Valley Campaign — Opequon — Fisher's 
Hill — Cedar Creek — Returned to the Army of the Potomac. 

Fourth Year, 1 76-195 

Under Penrose: Petersburg — Five Forks- — Appomattox Court 
House — Review in Washington — Home. 

REGIMENTAL SKETCHES. 

The Tenth Regiment, 196-202 

History Peculiar to Itself — "Olden Legion" — Defective Organi- 
zation — Effective Appeal to Governor Olden — Mustered out and 
reorganized — Provost Duty — Corcoran's Brigade — Active Ser- 
vice — Skirmish at Edenton Road — Carsville — Discipline Com- 
mended — Riots in Pennsylvania — Attached to First New Jersey 
Brigade — Conspicuous Gallantry — Winchester- — Of 600 men only 
80 left for duty — Discharged. 

The Fifteenth Regiment, 203-221 

Organized at Flemington — Mustered In at Bakersville — Stafford 
Heights — Deep Run Creek — Chancellorsville— Salem Church — 
Fairfax Station — Gettysburg — Hagerstown — Warrenton — Rappa- 
hannock Station — Winter Quarters — The "Chapel" and Religious 
Interest — Breaking Camp — The Wilderness — Spottsylvania Court 
House — Cold Harbor — Petersburg — Strashurg — Winchester — Boli- 
var Heights^Only "a Handful"' left — Petersburg — Danville, 
Washington, Trenton. 



ii COXTHNTS. 

PACE. 

The Twenty-third Regiment, 222-236 

Muster-in and Organization — Joined Sixth Corps — Captain Grubb 
Commissioned as Major — At Fredericksburg — White OaV 
Church — "Mud March" — Lieutenant-Colonel Grubb — Furloughs — 
Harrisburg — Dissolution. 

The Battle of Salem Church, -V^7-255 

Its Importance — Disposition of Troops — "After Cadmus" — Eighth 
Alabama — "A Weighty Doctrine" — General D. D. Wheeler's 
Account of Salem Heights — Report of Colonel E. Burd Grubb. 

Unveiling of Monument .at S.-\lem Church 256-277 

Prayer — Address by R. W. Hunter — .\ddress by Representative 
of Governor of New Jersey — Address by Captain E. H. Kirk- 
bride — Legislative Action by State of New Jersey — Resolutions 
of Camps of United Confederate Veterans — Tribute to the Boys 
in Gray— Salutation from Captain Featherston, Ninth Alabama. 

The Twenty-third Regiment at H.\rrisburg, 1863 27S-281 

The Fortieth Regiment — Sketcli 282-283 

Battery A, First New Jeirsey Artillery, 284-293 

Muster-in — Fairfax Seminary — Battle of West Point — Mechanics- 
ville — Gaines' Mill — Chantilly — Crampton's Pass — Antietam — 
Hexamer's Accurate Aim — Bakersville — Fredericksburg — "Mud 
Campaign"— White Oak Church — Marye's Heights — Fairfax 
Court House — Gettysburg — Culpepper — Mine Run— River Po — 
Petersburg — Heroism L'nsurpassed. 

Movements at Battle of Crampton's Pass — .« 

Report of Colonel A. T. A. Torbert. First New Jersey Infantry, . . 294 
Report of Lieutenant-Colonel Mark W. Collet, Third New Jersey 

Infantry, 296 

Report of Colonel Samuel L. Buck, Second New Jersey Infantry.. . 297 
Report of Colonel Henry Brown, Third New Jersey Infantry, .... 298 
Report of Colonel William B. Hatch, Fourth New Jersey In- 
fantry -501 

Report of Brigadier-General Howell Cobb, C. S. A., 302 

Report of Brigadier-General Paul J. Semmes. C. S. A., 305 

Report of Colonel Thomas T. Munford. Second A^'irginia Cavalry, 307 

The Seven Days' B'attle on the Peninsula, as seen In a Lieutenant 

on the Staff 310-340 



CONTENTS. iii 

APPENDICES. 

PAGE- 

Appendix .1 — Sketch. Brigadier-(k-neral George William Taylor, fatally 

wounded on the Plains of Manassas, 343 

Appendix B — Sketch of the First Regiment, by Lieutenant Thomas T. 

Tillou, 345 

Account of C. A. Pettie's Experience at Crampton's Pass, 348 

Account of Charge at Cold Harbor, by C. A. Pettie, Color-Sergeant, 349 
Rescue of Sergeant Pierson M. Walton from a Raft in the Potomac, 

Wounded and Escaped Prisoner, 350 

Appendix C — The First, Second and Third Regiments; Three-Year 

Men at Camp Olden, 353 

Appendix D — i\ccount of Movements of Third Regiment During Ad- 
vance to Manassas, 355 

Report of Colonel Henry W. Brow^n, Third New Jersey Infantry, 

Commanding First Brigade, 357 

Death of John Ellis, of Company H, Third Regiment, . . . : 359 

Brief Account of the part taken by the Third Regiment in the 
W^ilderness Campaign, 360 

Appendix E — Extracts frcfm the Diary of John P. Beach, Fourth New 

Jersey Volunteers 361-386 

Organization of the Fourth Regiment Infantry, of New Jersey, . . . 387 
Some Historical Data and Reminiscences by Frank W. Gaul, of 
the Fourth Regiment, 388-406 

Appendix F — Charge and Death of Lieutenant Harry B. Hidden, 

First New York Cavalry, 407 

Appendix G — C. A. Pettie's Account of Kearny's Charge on the Con- 
federate Picket, 409 

Appendix H — Account of the Surrender of Petersburg, by James Gal- 
lagher, Tenth New Jersey Volunteers, 410 

Appendix I — Notes from the Life of Major David Hatfield, 411-436 

Appendix J — List of Killed and Wounded, 437-455 

Appendix K — Sketch of General Lewis Perrine, Quartermaster-General 

of New Jersey, 1855-1889 456-458 

MusTEK-iN Rolls, 459-5^5 




CAMILLE BAQUET, 

Second Lieutenant, Company A, First Regiment, 

New Jersey Volunteers. 




HE WORK here presented is intended to fill a space in 
the history of N^w Jersey's soldier sons, heretofore 
neglected. That so long- a time has elapsed since the deeds 
recorded were performed before any record of them was at- 
tempted, must be attributed to the modesty of the men who 
made that record on the battlefields of Virgfinia, Maryland and 
Pennsylvania. This unfortunate display of modesty has lost to 
the readers of this work many incidents of personal bravery 
and sacrifice that would have given both interest and charm 
to it. New Jersey sent forty regiments to the field of battle, in 
Virginia, North Carolina and the West, and out of the great 
number of men who' volunteered, but a handful are now living. 
Many of these have forgotten the incidents or have but an in- 
distinct recollection of them. For this reason the work is a 
review of its marches and battles only, and the standard works 
on the War of the Rebellion have been used to- compile it. 
Grant's and Sheridan's memoirs, Generals Michie, Palfrey, But- 
terfield, Humphrey, Due de Chartres, Foster, Williams, Stein, 
and others have been freely consulted. The official "Records 
of the War of Rebellion," published by the United States gov- 
ernment, supplied the framework upon which the work rests, 
and orders and correspondence have been quoted as well as re- 
ports. 

The First New Jersey Brigade, composed originally of the 
first three regiments that were mustered into the United States 
service of three years, was without a brigade general until the 
ideal soldier, Kearny, took command. The Fourth New Jersey 
Volunteers was afterwards added, and when the Brigade had 
lost through death in the field, wounds and sickness, more than 



4 PREFACE. 

half its number, the Fifteenth and 'l\venty-third Regiments were 
added to it. It was a matter of pride \\ ith the State authorities 
to keep the Brigade a distinctly Jersey organization, and later 
when its ranks were again so reduced that five regiments were 
not much stronger than a single full regiment, the Tenth and, 
again, the Fortieth Regiments were added to it. That the 
Brigade was eminently worthy of distinction can be readily seen 
by studying the table of losses sustained b\' it in the forty-odd 
battles in which it participated. 

The rank and file of the Brigade was taken from the very 
best of New Jersey's sons, and the greater number exhibited 
the finest patriotism. 

If this history does no more than recall to the remembrance 
of the people of New Jersey the sacrifices made by the members 
of the New Jersey Brigade, it will fulfill the intentions of the com- 
mittee who had the matter in charge. But it is beleived that those 
who sent fathers, sons and brothers to serve in the ranks of 
the famous Brigade will want to keep a record of their noble 
devotion and achievements. 

In the compiling of this history I was greatly assisted in the 
work by contributions from General E. Burd Grubb, Captain 
J. D. P. Mount (since deceased), Captain Thomas C. Cunning- 
ham, Lieutenant Thomas I. Tillou, Sergeant John P. Beach, 
Sergeant Charles A. Pettie, John W. Bodine, Samuel McCloud 
and Sergeant P. M. Walton, and I desire to acknowledge my 

indebtedness to them. 

C. BAQUET. 




Assassinated April 14th, 1865. 




cepting the Twenty-third Regiment, including Hexamer s Battery. 



First New Jersey Brigade. 



First Year. 



Under Kearny. 

T'ORMATION INSTRUCTION FINISHED ORGANIZATION LITTI^E 

RIVER TURNPIKE SANGSTEr's STATION EIRST BATTEE OE 

MANASSAS ADVANCE ON MANASSAS. 

PRESIDENT Lincoln's proclamation of April 15th, 1861, offi- 
cially announcing the existence of armed rebellion against the 
authority and government of the United States, and calling for 
seventy-five thousand men to enforce the laws and protect the 
property of the United States, was immediately followed by the 
requisition from the War Department for the quota allotted to 
New Jersey. The requisition was received in Trenton on April 
17th, 1 861. On the same day Governor Olden issued his procla- 
mation calling for four regiments of militia. The response to 
the Governor's call was prompt and in excess of the quota. 

l^oster, in his "New Jersey in the Rebellion," says that one 
hundred companies of one hundred men each, volunteered, 
besides many detachments of a smaller number of men. On 
April 30th, 1 86 1, the Governor notified the authorities that the 
New Jersey troops were ready for service, and that the four 
regiments, would be forwarded on May ist, 2d and 3d. This 
Brigade was the first organized body to arrive in Washington. 

The second proclamation of President Lincoln, calling for five 
hundred thousand men to serve for three years or during the 
war, issued May 3d, 1861. found as ready response as the first. 
Companies and parts of companies that were unable to answer 
the first call on account of the limitation to four regiments, now 



o FIRST XEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

came fcjrward and solicited the (jpixjrtunit)- to serve. Recruit- 
ing had not stopped, for men whO' were not discouraged nor 
deceived by the "picnic'" idea of short-sighted writers and 
speakers, had been busy raising companies all over the State. 
Immediately upon ilie ])ublication of the Governor's proclama- 
tion, companies and detachments began to arrive in Trenton. 
As soon as they reported the>- were ordered to Camp Olden, 
which was south of Trenton, near the Delaware and Raritan 
canal, and opposite the State prison. Here were organized the 
First, Second and Third Regiments of Xew Jersey Volunteers. 
Each regiment was composed of ten companies, and each com- 
pany of ninety-eight enlisted men and three commissioned 
ofificers. 

The First Regiment was commanded by Colonel William R. 
Montgomery and was mustered into the service of the United 
States on Alav 21st, 1861. The Second Regiment was com- 
manded by Colonel George W. McLean and was mustered into 
the service of the United States on ]\Iay 26th, 1861. The Third 
Regiment was commanded by Colonel George W. Taylor and 
was mustered into the service of the United States June 4th. 
1 86 1. The mustering officer was Major Theodore T. S. Laidly. 
of the U. S. Regular Army. The three regiments were fully 
equipped by the State and armed by the U. S. government, and 
liad l^een read}- for several weeks to begin a forward movement. 

The summons came on June 27th, and on the 28th they were 
en route for ^^'ashington. Arriving in Philadelphia at about 
8 o'clock in the morning, they were served with breakfast at the 
Cooper Shop on Washington street, by the citizens of Phila- 
delphia, who gave them a hearty welcome. The journey to 
Baltimore was tedious in the extreme, but the uncertainty as to 
the kind of reception they would meet, although prepared and 
readv for any emergency, tilled each member with suppressed 
excitement. During the trip forty rounds of ball cartridges were 
issued to each man, and an order was published giving instruc- 
tions as to conduct, and how and when to use the fixed am- 
munition. After numerous slowings-up and stops, the Brigade 
arrived in lUdtimore after dark. It was found that it would be 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 7 

impossible to get trains throug-h the city. The Brigade was 
then marched through Baltimore to the South Side, where they 
again took cars for Washington. 

The Brigade arrived in Washington on June 29th and went 
into camp on Capitol Hill. While in camp here, the companies 
were drilled in movement and manual of arms and attained con- 
siderable proficiency. All shortcomings in these necessary 
adjuncts oi the soldier were either unnoticed or passed over, the 
government officers and citizens being only too pleased to have 
the well-organized and equipped Jersey Brigade at hand. While 
here the camp was visited informally by the President and Secre- 
tary of State. As no announcement of the intended visit had been 
made, no military reception was accorded. In fact, the officers in 
command were unaware of the presence of the distinguished 
visitors until the cheering- of the men who had gathered around 
them attracted their attention. After speaking a few w'ords and 
shaking hands with as many as could reach them, the President 
and Secretary withdrew as quietly as they had come. 

While in camp here the Brigade was reviewed by the Presi- 
dent, the regiments marching through the White House grounds, 
the President's reviewing stand being the north portico. 

The men were kept busy with drill, guard duty and battalion 
exercise until July 12th, when orders were received to move over 
into Virginia. The Brigade crossed over the Potomac River by 
the Long Bridge and took up the line of march to Alexandria, 
six miles below Washington. Here the Brigade went into camp 
at Roadie's Mills, naming the camp Camp Trenton. The Brigade 
was assigned tO' General Theodore Runyon's command, and with 
the four regiments of New Jersey Militia (three-months men) 
became the Fourth Division of the Army of Northeast Virginia, 
Major-General Irwin McDowell commanding. 

From this time till July 21st the Brigade was occupied in 
picket duty along the Alexandria, Low^den and Hampshire 
Railroad, at Arlington Mills, Bailey's Crossroads, Upton's Hill, 
Falls Church and Vienna Station, and in perfecting themselves 
in manual, company and battalion drill. On July 21st. 1861, 
memorable for the first battle of any importance since the firing 



S FIRST XEir JERSEY BRIGADE. 

on Fort Sumter, orders were received to move to the front to 
cover the retreat of the forces that had been engaged in the battle 
of Bull Run. Two companies each of the First and Second Regi- 
ments had been detached for special duty, while the Third Regi- 
ment had been detached temporarily from the Brigade and with 
the Fourth New Jersey Militia and Colonel J. H. McCunn's New 
York regiment formed a provisional brigade under the com- 
mand of Colonel McCunn, were posted at Fairfax Station, on 
the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, as a reserve, the Third 
Regiment advancing to Burke's Station to guard ammunition 
and stores. (Records Union and Confederate Armies, series i, 
vol. 2, page 753.) 

By order of General Runyon, Colonel Montgomery, of the 
First New Jersey Volunteers, took seven companies of the First 
Regiment, leaving one company to guard camp, and eight com- 
panies of the Second Regiment, and marched to Centreville. On 
the march the retreating army was encountered. Every effort 
was made by officers and men to arrest the retreat, but to no pur- 
pose. Arrived at Centreville, Colonel Montgomery at once re- 
ported to General McDowell, who directed him to select the best 
position to repel the enemy, and hold it. On Colonel Mont- 
gomery's return from headquarters, he found only the seven com- 
panies of the First Regiment, the Second having retired. At 
2 A. M. of the 22d of July, finding that all the other troops had 
left, the First Regiment was brought off the field, leaving Sur- 
geon Taylor, of the First Regiment of New Jersey Volunteers, 
at his own request, in charge of the wounded. A drenching rain 
had set in. and the march back to camp was accomplished through 
Virginia mud, which has the reputation of being the most ex- 
asperating material to deal with in the world. Tired, wet, hun- 
gry and greatly disheartened, the Brigade escorted Hunt's Bat- 
tery to Fort Albany, the men disposing of themselves as best 
thev could, without shelter. Here the companies on detached 
service rejoined their regiments. The Third Regiment also 
joined the Brigade here. 

On the next day the Brigade returned to its old camp. By 
this time the men had learned something of the work and vicis- 
situdes of military life. This, however, was but a preliminary, 



I'lRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 9 

for the real work of training down and perfecting was to come, 
and the one who was to show it how, and make a smooth work- 
ing machine of the 2,800 men in the Brigade, was soon to take 
command. The usual routine of camp was restored, and the 
men's time was taken up with patrol duty, scouting, picket duty 
and drill. On August 4th, on dress parade, General Order No. 
4 was read. This order formed the First New Jersey Brigade, 
consisting of the First, Second and Third New Jersey Volunteer 
Infantry, Battery G, Second. U. S. Artillery, and Company G, 
Second U. S. Cavalry, and assigning Brigadier-General Philip 
Kearny to the command, who had been appointed to the com- 
mand of the Brigade on July 25th, his commission dating from 
May 1 2th previous. 

On August 7th, the Brigade was moved to a new camp, at 
Fairfax Seminary. It was on this march that the men made the 
acquaintance of their new commander, and the General saw his 
"pets." The men straggled along any way, some on one side of 
the road, some on the other, singly and in squads, muskets car- 
ried as most convenient, some of them decorated with various 
delicacies — pretzels, sausages and other things dear to a soldier's 
heart. A peach orchard in full bearing surrounding' the General's 
headquarters was a source of enthusiastic delight and an earnest 
endeavor to gather the whole crop. It was in this condition when 
General Kearn\' appeared on the piazza, saw a portion of the 
Brigade for the first time up in the peach trees, and it was the 
occasion of one of those ^•ehement and picturesque outbursts 
from the General which the men often recalled with delight. The 
men did not know who he was, for he was dressed \'ery much 
like an old farmer, with nothing about him, that the men could 
see, to indicate his rank and authority. He said things to them 
and they answered in the same strain. He told them what he 
thought of them and they quizzed him in return. This, to a man 
of excitable temperament, who was at the same time a stern 
disciplinarian, was the one drop that caused the overflow. See- 
ing a junior officer walking along with his sheathed sword 
grasped bv the point of the scabbard. General Kearny fairly 

glared at him and demanded. "Who the are you?" The 

answer, given in innocent deliberation and coolness. "I am Lieu- 



10 FIRST XEIV JERSEY' BRIGADE. 

tenant of the Rej^^iment. and mav I ask who vou 

are?" was hke oil on a fire, and the return answer, in tones indi- 
cating ahnost desperate fury, as if shot out of a gun. ''I am 

General Kearn)'. commanding this Brigade of .'" The 

lieutenant, not the least disturbed, said; "General Kearny. I am 
glad to make your acquaintance and wish to introduce to you 
th.e commissioned officers of the First Xew Jersey Regiment." 
The General looked at the lieutenant and commissioned officers 
as if his eyes would pierce them through. He said in a very loud 
tone. "Lieutenant, you and these commissioned offtcers go to 
}'our c|uarters and consider yourselves und'cr arrest." This the 
officers took as an insult, and when they got to their quarters, 
called a meeting of all the officers belonging to this regiment. A 
note was sent to General Kearny demanding a hearing at once. 
This was granted, and they proceeded in a body to the Brigade 
headquarters. Tliev were courteously received by the General, 
who acknowledged his error, and wishing to make amends in- 
vited tliem all to dine with him, which they did, and before they 
were through a thoroug-h understanding was established between 
them. 

Reaching the new camping grounds, the Brigade found 
metliods and formula prepared for their instruction in camp- 
making. The regiments were separated by short intervals. The 
company tents were placed in straight rows, leaving spaces be- 
tween for company streets. Another space was left between the 
ends of the rows of the tents and the line officers' quarters, and 
still another beyond for the field and staff officers. 

A different daiK- routine of work also was imposed. Guard 
mounting in regulation form, policing camp, drill both in manual 
and mo\ement. skeleton drill and such duties fully occupied the 
time of officers and men. On Sunday the great function was 
inspection. The regiments, fully ef|uipi)ed. were formed in 
column of division, while the Brigade Inspector went from rank 
to rank and examined the condition of arms, belts, knapsacks, 
cartridges, boxes, clothing, and even the persons of the men. 
These inspections revealed the fact that \ermin were almost 
universal in the Brigade, and caused the issue of Kearny's order 
on cleanliness. In this order he gave directions for the care of 



FIRST \'EJV JERSEY BRIGADE. H 

clothes and person, and promised severe punishment for any 
neglect of the provisions of the order. On the next inspection, 
General Kearnv himself inspected the Brigade, and passing along 
the line of officers stopped in front of one and said sharply. 
^'Lieutenant, there's a louse ou the breast of your coat." The 
lieutenant saluted and said, "General, there's one on your collar.'^ 
Passing do\Vn the lines of rank and file he found a man who 
had potished the front of his shoes and neglected the heels. He 
said, "What do vou mean by coming on inspection with your 
toes' polished and heels muddy?" The man replied, "General, 
you told us a good soldier never looks behind." The clothes 
must be well brushed and free from stains, brasses and buttons 
polished, belts and cross-pieces thoroughly cleaned, shoes polished, 
and weapons so free from dust and dirt as not to sod the white 
gloves that each man was obliged to wear 

* General Kearnv himself saw that the uniforms issued fitted 
the wearers, and' if he found any man with ill-fitting coat or 
trousers, had the regimental tailors at work at once to correct the 
fault and contributed from his own purse to defray the expense. 
The men soon learned the peculiarities of their commander, and 
no o-eneral in the whole armv had a more devoted following than 
General Kearny. Generous to a fault with his personal belong- 
ings, he was as kind and thoughtful of the men in the ranks as of 
those of higher positions. Those in the hospital seemed to have 
a o-reater claim to his care and bounty, and many tedious hours of 
sickness were relieved bv the gift of delicacies from his own 
store. Foster, in his "New Jersey in the Civil War" says (page 
807) : "His talents as an organizer, his fervid enthusiasm for 
his profession, his close study of the art of war, his intuitive 
perception of character, his strategic genius, his generosity and 
lavish expenditure of his large wealth in order to promote the 
efficiency of his command, all these qualities, from the outset, 
distingiiished his career. In a little while his brigade was con- 
fessedly the best disciplined in the army." 

To such a commander the men of the First New Jersey 
Brio-ade were committed, and they bore the impress of Kearny s 
discipline and teaching to the end. The improvement in drill of 
all kinds, m bearing and appearance, was rapid, and Kearny .s 



12 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



insistence upon the strict obsen-ance of his orders m re-ard to - 
cleanhness and attention to appearance earned for the Brjcrade 
the title of the "Jersey Regulars." ^ 

_ From this time the routine of camp life was varied only by 
picket duty, patrol, scouting, guarding lines of communication, 
and drill. 

On the 14th of August the First Regiment lost its Colonel, 
William R. Montgomery, who was made Brigadier-General and 
Military GoA-ernor of Alexandria and vicinity, the command of 
the regiment devolving on Lieutenant-Colonel Robert McAllister. 

On the 2ist of August, the Fourth New Jersey Volunteers, 
Colonel J. H. Simpson com.manding, arrived at camp and were 
added to the First New Jersey Brigade. Battery A. First New 
Jersey Artillery, Captain Hexamer. also arrived and was attached 
to the First New Jersey Brigade. 

On the 25th of August the army was reorganized under their 
^e^^• commander. General George B. ^IcClellan. w!io had been 
in command in W^est Virginia and had achieved some important 
successes. McClellan was transferred to the Amiy ni the Po- 
tomac on July 25th by order from the Assistant Adjutant- 
General's office. General Order No. 15 made him Major- 
General, and his command was called the Department of the 
Potomac. The First New Jersey Brigade was continued in Gen- 
eral \A illiam B. Franklin's division, which was composed of the 
iMrst New Jersey Brigade, General Kearny. General Slocum's 
brigade and General Newton's brigade of infantry. Batteries D 
and G, the Second U. S. Artillery, Hexamer's battery, and the 
First New York (Lincoln) Cavalry. Colonel McReynolds. 

The first actual contact the Brigade had with the rebels was on 
August 31st. Colonel Taylor, of the Third New Jersey Volun- 
teers, determined to stop the annoyance caused bv the rebel 
pickets and shari)shooters. He took forty men, who \(^lunteered 
for the service, from two companies of his regiment, and pro- 
ceeded along the Little River turnpike under cover of the woods 
until he arrived at a point where he could strike the road in the 
rear of the rebel ])ickets, and cut them off. He was obliged to 
pass through a small cornfield, and while there was fired upon. 






LIEUTENANT-GENERAL WINFIELD S. SCOTT. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 13 

His men promptlv returned the fire, but the Colonel found that 
three of his men had been wounded. He ordered his men to 
retire to the cover of the woods, about thirty yards distant, 
keeping- enou-h men to bring in the wounded, one of whom. 
Corporal Hand, of Company I, was mortally hurt. In all, four 
men were wounded in this skirmish at Munson's Hill. (Note^ 
Foster mentions another skirmish on the same day, as does Rev. 
J. M. Morris in his ''Leaves from a Soldier's Diary," but the 
official records make no mention of it.) Captain A. T. A. Tor- 
bert, of the U. S. Army, took command of the First Regiment 
on September ist. 

The next break in the monotony of camp life occurred on Uc- 
tober 15th, when our pickets were attacked on the Little River 
turnpike. Lieutenant-Colo.nel Isaac M. Tucker, of the Secorid 
New Jersey Volunteers, being Brigade officer of the day, made 
the following report : 

C-vMP Seminary, New Jersey Brigade, 

Wednesday, Oct. i6th, 1861. 
S:k-I reported at orderly hours, yesterday, at your headquarters as 

B^ae o^^L o. the day, and -^d^te, th^a.er ^0^^^ 

^rr-n4Xrr r-L^;:^^::^;^. -: .{a. m a^^ha 

dragoon fad been discovered on the turnpike talkmg w.th a workman m 
M nor's cornfield, about half a mile beyond our picket statjon. Upon -ce v 
^g this information, I took the picket and went through the cornfield. Two 
.rown white boys and one negro man were at work m the field, one of whom 
Admitted to me that the dragoon had inquired of h-^concermng our P^cket^^^ 
pretending, however, that he gave them no mforma ion. I thought propei 
to arrest Lm all, and accordingly sent them into headquarters about 5 P- M^ 
Six men from the station were on the turnpike ^bout a quar er of a mde 
beyond the station when a detachment of about 20 rebel cavalry su pr sed 
and fired on them. They promptly returned the fire, -^reatmg as bes they 
could towards the station where the men had been extended by Lieutenant 

"^S::^^^;" r exchanged during the retrea. the "-Is piir^ung <^ 
packets until nearly within musket range of the skirmishers at he ^t^tion 
when they turned and passed rapidly up the turnpike. Private Jo dan Sd 
ers Co A ist Regiment, was killed in the affair, but not until with a 
deSera^e aim he had killed a rebel officer. Privates James ^onndb. a..d 
Alfonso Nichols, of the same company, are ^^^^^^"^- L-J^tenant Tillou re 
ports to me that 4 or 5 of the rebels were seen to fall from their horses, 
which statement was confirmed by all the men. c^„^ Pec,; 

A scout of ten men sent out by Capt. Young from Co. F, Second Regi 
ment, was returning when the firing was heard, but did not reach the ground 



I 



2 I-' B 



14 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

in time to assist our men. They found a dead horse belonging to the rebels, 
a sword considerably marked with blood, a new Springfield rifled musket and 
a blanket, and brought the sword, musket and blanket. They also brought 
in the body of Jordan Silvers. This party went out as far as the tavern and 
were there when the rebels to the number of loo were this side of them. 
The proprietor of the tavern endeavored to get them into his house by strong 
importunity, evidently intending to detain them for capture, but to no pur- 
pose. During the night I made the grand rounds, and found everything quiet, 
and the pickets unusually vigilant. 

Respectfully submitted, 

ISAAC M. TUCKER. 
Eiciitenant-Coloncl Second Regf. N. J. Vols.. 

Brigade OMccr of the Dav. 
Bkig.\dier-Gener.\l Kearny, 

Commanding A^eu' Jersey Brigade. 
(Series i, Vol. 5, Oificial Record, Union & Confederate Armies.) 

An incident that cast a g-loom over the Fourth Regiment and 
stn-red the other commands of the Brigade occurred on October 
i8th. Sergeant-Ma j or Thomas S. Bonney, of the Fourth Regi- 
ment, while proceeding along- the picket line, some little distance 
in advance, was challenged by the picket. Either he did not hear 
the order to halt or he paid no attention to it, for the picket fired 
and Bonney fell, mortally wounded. 

The Brigade had become somewhat accustomed to the constant 
alarms given by the pickets, which were often causeless. Still the 
rebel pickets often indulged in picking off our pickets. As the 
rebel authorities were evidently supplied with information about 
our lines, defenses, and those surrounding Washington, it was 
thought the firing, on the picket line was intended to divert atten- 
tion from the movements of spies. A strict watch resulted in the 
capture of a member of the First New York (Lincoln) Cavalry, 
named Johnson, by Colonel Taylor and a squad of men from 
the Third New Jersey Regiment. Johnson was tried by court- 
martial, convicted and sentenced to be shot. He was executed on 
December 13th, 1861, in the presence of the whole division, 
forming three sides of a hollow square. This was the first mili- 
tary execution of the Avar. 

The winter closing in made campaigning impossible, and the 
men were ordered to build huts and make themselves as com- 
fortable as possible. The huts were made of boards when thev 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 15 

could be had, logs or anything that could be used for the pur- 
pose. The roofs were made of the shelter tents and the chimneys 
of stone for foundation and fireplace, the tops being made of two 
barrels with the bottoms out and daubed inside with mud. The 
dreary winter was passed, in drill when the weather permitted, at 
other' times in such occupation and amusement as the limited 
opportunities offered. 

About the 2d or 3d of March, 1862, rumors were rife that the 
rebels were making a movement of some kind, and on the 6th 
information obtained from the natives and negroes corroborated 
the rumors. On this information General Kearny with character- 
istic promptness moved out of camp early on the 7th of March 
for Burke's Station, on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, 
about fourteen miles from camp. Scouts were sent out and very 
soon reported that the rebel trains were moving continuously. 
The Brigade moved off the camp ground by the Little River 
turnpike and marched to Burke's Station. The march was very 
tiresome, the greater part being made after dark, and arrived at 
Burke's Station at about one o'clock on the morning of March 
8th The Fourth Regiment arrived soon after daylight, having 
acted as guard for the baggage train. General Keanry ordered 
an advance, and the Brigade moved forward to Fairfax Station 
about four miles further up the railroad. A light battalion had 
been formed, consisting of two companies from each regiment, 
under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel L M. Tucker, of the 
Second Regiment. This battalion acted as advance guard and 
flankers The Third Regiment was in the van, next, the Second 
to the right and slightlv to the rear, and the Fourth Regiment 
similarly disposed after the Second. Two companies of the First 
Regiment under Major Hatfield, were disposed on the BraddocK 
road, north of the railroad, while the rest of that regiment he d 
Burke's Station. Fairfax Station, being occupied by the Fourth 
Regiment New Jersey Volunteers without opposition, a furthei 

advance was ordered. ^1 • •, 

The regiments advanced in the same order, the Third going 
directly to Sangster's Station. Here the first resistance to our- 
advance was offered. The detachment of the First New York 
Cavalrv, twentv men under Lieutenant Hidden, was with the 



1^ FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

Third Regiment. Colonel .Taylor ordered Lieutenant Hidxlen 
forward to reconnoiter the ground and instructed him trj charge 
the rebels, if he found the picket not greatly superior in number. 
These instructions were fully carried out and the rebels were 
scattered, losing thirteen men prisoners, including Lieutenant 
Stewart, a West Point cadet, who had very recently joined the 
rebels. In this skirmish Lieutenant Hidden was killed while 
gallantly leading his men, and was the only one killed by the 
enem}-. Just as this slight engagement was over, the Second 
Regiment, under Colonel Tucker (Colonel McLean having re- 
signed in November, 1861), arrived to support the Third, and 
occupied the ground of the rebel picket. Next day, :\Iarch loth, 
Lieutenant-Colonel McAllister of the First Regiment received 
orders to send a small detachment in advance. Lieutenant W. H. 
Tantum was detailed for this duty, and with fourteen men of 
Company B. First Regiment, marched to Centreville, and re- 
ported at once to his captain. S. Van Sickell. that he had occupied 
the place at 1 1.30 A. M. Thus, to the First Regiment Xew Jersey 
Volunteers fell the honor of being the first infantry to occupy the 
field of Bull Run battle in this movement, as well as the last 
troops of any army to leave it, after that battle. The reports of 
the rebel mox-ement were verified, the movement being to the 
rear, and in such haste that considerable property was found, as 
well as important papers, which were secured by Colonel Simp- 
son, of the Fourth Regiment, from General Johnston's head- 
quarters in Centreville. 

The Third Regiment marched in during the afternoon, the 
balance of the First Regiment having come in at about 4 P. M. 
The Union flag was hoisted and the Brigade camped at Centre- 
ville until March 14th, when it returned to its old camp ground. 

(Colonel D. McM. Gregg claims the honor of having occupied 
Centreville, Bull Run battlefield, with the Third and Eighth 
Pennsylvania Cavalry before any other troops.) 

On ALirch 3d. 1862, General McClellan, through Adjutant- 
General Townsend. relieved General Kearny from the command 
of the First Xew Jersey Brigade and assigned him to the com- 
mand of Sumner's Division. Kearny declined the honor of 
advancement, preferring to remain with the Xew Jersey troops. 



FIRST XEIV JERSEY BRIGADE. 17 

Accortling-ly, on March 14th, McClellan sent a dispatch to Secre- 
tary of War Stanton, that he had ,g-iven Sumner's Division to 
General Richardson instead of to General Kearny, because "this 
General preferred to 'command his old Brigade." On Kearny's 
return from McClellan's headcjuarters he was obliged to pass by 
the camp ground. When he appeared on the road the men started 
to cheer. The General rode into the camp, the men surrounding 
him and manifested their joy in repeated cheers. Kearny was 
nuich mov^d by this manifestation of their love and loyalty and 
could only say, "Thank you, boys." 

March 14th, 1862, army corps were formed and the First New 
Jersey Brig-ade became the First Brigade, First Division, First 
Corps, occupying the post of high honor, the extreme right of the 
army. The First Corps was commanded by Major-General Irwin 
McDowell, the First Division by General William B. Franklin, 
and the First Brigade by Philip Kearny. 

Arrived back in camp, the Brigade settled down to routine 
duties. The men were in high spirits over the certainty of their 
beloved commander remaining with them. The quiet of camp 
life lasted but a few days, however, when the Brigade received 
orders to "pack up" and prepare to march. Rations were issued 
and the Brigade moved out towards Burke's Station. Much 
speculation was indulged in as to their destination and object. 
The march commenced on April 7th, 1862, and the division went 
as far as Bristoe's Station on that day, and next day to Catlett's 
Station, camping there for a few days, and then returned to their 
old camp at Fairfax Seminary, arriving there on April 12th. 

General McClellan had been for some time preparing a plan 
of campaign, the object of which was the capture of Richmond 
and end the war. Three routes had been considered — one di- 
rect through Fredericksburg, using the connecting railroad for 
communication ; one by way of Aquia Creek, which would give 
water transportation part of the way, and the other by way of 
Yorktown, using the York River as a means of communication, 
with the co-operation of the navy. These plans were, of course, 
jealously guarded, so' that but few even of the high officers of 
the army knew anything of them besides the President and his 
Cabinet. The strict censorism kept the people from being en- 



18 FIRST XEIV JERSEY BRIGADE. 

lightened as to the army's movements. The spring was well 
opened, and still no movement. So much dissatisfaction became 
apparent, both on the part of the general press and the politicians, 
at the apparently nseless inactivity of the army, that confidence 
in General McClellan was greatly impaired among a coterie of 
high officials in \\'ashington. His plan of campaign was criti- 
cised and condemned by those who would not, or could not 
understand that time was necessary to train a great armv o 
almost raw recruits and make a reliable fighting organization of 
them. There were others who believed in AlcClellan's ability to 
.carry out his plans, and among these were the President and- 
most of his cabinet. 

General McClellan finally adopted the Peninsula plan, but 
when he had fully matured all the necessary arrangements for 
the moving of the troops, he found his splendid armv greatly 
depleted by the detachment of divisions that he had relied upon 
for the most efficient and arduous service. Franklin's division 
was ordered to the Department of the Rappahannock, under 
McDowell, for the defense of Washington. The disappointment 
of not accompanying the Army of the Potomac did not last long, 
for on the 17th of April Franklin's division was ordered to em- 
bark on transports to join the army at Yorktown. General Mc- 
Clellan had urged with so much persistence the absolute neces- 
sity of his having the use of this great body of drilled troops, 
that the Secretary of War, Stanton, finally obtained permission 
from the President to transfer Franklin's division from the army 
for the defense of Washington to the Army of the Potomac. 

The division arrived in the York River on A.^ril 22d and dis- 
embarked at Cheeseman's Creek. Just at this time the Brigade, 
which was in good spirits and ready for the work, was greatly 
depressed by the transfer of their General to the command of 
the Third Division of the Third Corps, under General Heint- 
zelman. Colonel George W. Taylor, of the Third New Jersey 
Volunteers, was made Brigade General. \Mien it became known 
that the contemplated transfer of General Kearny to another and 
mt^re important command had been nullified bv his declining 
promotion unless he was allowed to take his "pets" with him, 
which alternative had been refused bv the commander of the 



i 



FIRST XEIV JERSEY BRIGADE. 19 

army, the Legislature of New Jersey passed the following reso- 
lution on March 20th, 1862: 

"That New Jersey highly appreciated the disinterested fidelity 
of General Philip Kearny in declining proffered promotion rather 
than separate himself from the command of the Jerseymen en- 
trusted to him." 

That the transfer of General Kearny from the command 
of the Jersey Brigade to a division in Heintzelman's corps was 
a matter of great concern and regret to the people of New Jersey 
is evidenced by the resolutions passed by the Legislature of that 
State on March 28th, 1862: 

"Resolved, That to the New' Jersey Volunteers belong the 
praise not only of checking the retreat of the Federal forces 
retiring from Bull Run and greatly aiding in the preservation 
of the National Capital from capture, but also of advancing, un- 
supported, on the rebel stronghold at Manassas and compelling 
its precipitate abandonment ; and that General Kearny deserves 
the warm approval and thanks of the Nation for his boldness in 
making this advance, and this skillful strategy he displayed in its 
execution. 

"Resolved, That having already testified our high appreciation 
of the self-sacrifice and fidelity to' his trust, which led General 
Kearny to decline promotion rather than leave his Brigade, we 
now express our regret at the existence of any such necessity, 
and respectfully suggest to those in authority the propriety 
(unless it be inconsistent with the public interest) of combining 
all the New Jersev troops on the Potomac into one division and 
placing the same under the command of General Kearny, whose 
devotion to his soldiers, care for their comfort and discipline, 
and brilliant qualities as an officer, entitles the country to his ser- 
vices in a higher position than the one he now occupies. 

"Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be forwarded to 
the Honorable the Secretary of War." 



20 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



Second Year 



Under Taylor. 

PEXINSUI.AR CAMPAIGN WEST POINT GAINES' MILLS CHARLES 

CITY CROSS ROADS SECOND BATTLE OF MANASSAS. 

Under Torbert. 

CRAMPTON's pass ANTIETAM FIRST FREDERICKSBURG MUD 

MARCH. 

OX May 5th. Yorktown ha\"ino- ])een evacuated by ilie Confed- 
erates, General McClellan decided to make a flank move- 
ment, SO as to cut off the retreatine: rebel army and its wao-on trains, 
and for the purpose ordered Franklin's division to West Point, 
on the York River. The division re-embarked and the fleet of 
transports proceeded up tlie York River, supported by gunboats 
sent by Commodore Goldsborough. W'hile this movement was 
in progress a battle was being fought at Williamsburg, and on 
landing the Brigade received the account of the gallant work of 
Kearny's division in relieving General Hooker, who had for five 
hours fought a greatly superior force successfully, but was very 
hard pressed when Kearny arrived with re-enforcements. 

Franklin's division was landed on the right bank of the Pa- 
munkey River, opposite West Point. General P. S. Michie, in 
his life of McClellan, on page 274, says : "With regard to Frank- 
lin's division, which, at McClellan's urgent and repeated solicita- 
tion, had been sent Xo him. and from which so much had loeen 
promised and expected, it was the victim of many untoward cir- 
cumstances that neutralized its expected efficiency. It reached 
IMcClellan on April 22d, l)ut it was then considered too small 
to be detached to Severn, it was decided to disembark on the 
north bank of the York River opposite Gloucester, but nearly 




BRIGADIER-GENERAL GEORGE W. TAYLOR. 
Killed at Bull Run Bridge, Second Battle of Bull Run. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 2.1 

two weeks were consumed in preliminary preparations for this 
project, when, on the 3d of May, he concluded to disembark it 
at Cheeseman's, on the Poquosin, for the contemplated assault 
on Yorktown after the bombardment had taken place. The next 
morning, however, the evacuation had taken place and Franklin 
received orders at 10 o'clock to re-embark his division, it being 
then in camp on the Poquosin River. It was not until noon of 
the 5th that Franklin succeeded in re-embarking his artillery and 
putting his transports in motion, so that he did not reach York- 
towai till the dusk of that day. It was then too' late to start that 
night up the York, and he did not get off till the morning of the 
■6th. He reached Eltham that afternoon and completed his dis- 
embarkation on the morning of the 7th." The rebels having 
secured all the results they had worked for, evacuated Williams- 
burg, but left Hill's and Longstreet's divisions to confront 
Franklin. "They were at Barhamsville on the 7th of May, in 
readiness to oppose Franklin in case he moved his division from 
Eltham to attack their trains, which were in motion on the road 
in the near vicinity. Franklin's position was a good one, both 
flanks and a large part of the front being protected by water. 
Hoping that, Franklin w'ould advance beyond the protection of 
the gunboats, Whiting's division was placed in a favorable posi- 
tion to cover his advance from Eltham, but there being no evi- 
dence of Franklin's immediate advance, at seven o'clock Whiting 
was ordered to attack." 

The rebels — counting from right to left were Hampton's, 
Hood's and S. R. Anderson's brigades — began the action at 
about 9 A. M. Driving in our pickets, they encountered New- 
ton's brigade. On Newton's left were Slocum's brigade of 
Franklin's division and Dana's brigade of Sedgwick's division, 
just landed from the transports. The battle continued until 3 
P. M., when the rebels drew oft' and the Union line was re- 
established in the position of the morning. 

The official report, on page 614 of Vol. 11, part ist. Series i, 
says: "This brigade (Newton's) was supported on the left by 
Taylor's brigade, consisting of the Third and Fourth New- Jersey 
Regiments and by the Fifth Maine, of Slocum's brigade. In the 
rear were Hexamer's New Jersey and Upton's regular batteries, 



22 FIRST XEIV JERSEY BRIGADE. 

iiiuler coniniand of Captain Piatt, Second Artillery. The remain- 
der of Taylor's brigade, the First and Second Xew Jersey Regi- 
ments, supported the batteries and at the same time were in 
reserve to repel any attacks upon the approach to the dam." 

"The pickets having retired, the Thirty-second New York and 
part of the Xinety-fifth Pennsylvania were moved into the woods- 
as a support, where they met a very hot fire and were obliged to 
retire to the edge of the woods. The line was then formed with 
part of the Eighteenth X^ew York, the Fifth Maine, the Thirty- 
first New York, to which force w^as added six companies of the 
First X^ew Jersey and four companies of the Second X'^ew Jersey 
Regiments, under Lieutenant-Colonel McAllister of the First 
New Jersey. With this force, after a sharp contest, the position 
of the morning was soon recovered." 

From General Franklin's report this extract is taken : "At 
5 o'clock I placed the troops of Colonel Taylor's brigade, con- 
sisting of four X^ew Jersey regiments, in the position held l)y the 
four regiments previously engaged, with orders to find out during 
the night the position of the enemy, and, if possible, to push 
further to the front. He performed the work well, though with- 
out an engagement, and occupied a position two miles in advance 
early next morning." 

In this battle Hexamer's Battery "A" did splendid work. 
Captain Richard Arnold in his report says: "But the service 
rendered by Captain Hexamer, when the enemy appeared on the 
border of the woods, and the accurate firing of shell from the 
battery commanded by Lieutenant Upton, which resulted in 
routing a portion of the Hampton Legion and releasing Captain 
J. E. Montgomery, A. A. G. to General X^ewton. who had been 
taken prisoner by them a few minutes before, contributed greatly 
to the repulse of the enemy, and gave all the troops on this flank 
increased confidence. The only casualty of the day. a private was 
seriously wounded in the arm." 

The First X^ew Jersey Regiment lost three men in the action. 

The Brigade remained on the battlefield during May 8th, and 
on the 9th advanced to X^ew Kent Courthouse, about four miles, 
where they encamped and remained till the I2th. when they again 
advanced to White House, on the Pamunkey River. This estate 



FJRST XBIV JERSEY BRIGADE. 23- 

belonged to General Fitz Hugh Lee, and the dwelling was a 
line specimen of old Virginia plantation houses. The advance 
of the Union forces had been tedious, wearisome and discourag- 
ing. The heavy and frequent rains had made the roads rivers of 
mud, rendering marching the most difficult task, and quite im- 
passable for the wagon and artillery trains. 

On May 13th the Brigade marched to Slatersville, as a support 
to the Sixth U. S. Cavalry, which was reconnoitering that part of 
the Confederate position. The Brigade camped at New Kent 
Courthouse, and on the next day, 14th of May, returned to their 
camp at White House. A rest of two or three days, greatly 
needed, gave the men an opportunity to clean up and prepare for 
more arduous duty. On the i8th the Brigade advanced to Tun- 
stall's Station, on the Richmond and York River Railroad. On 
this day Franklin's division was reorganized and became the 
Sixth Corps, [the New Jersey Brigade becoming the First Brigade,. 
First Division!] On May 19th, the Brigade marched to Pay- 
sley's farm, camping there for the night, and on the 20th ad- 
vanced to Cold Harbor. Heavy cannonading heard towards the 
left of the army was the action that took place when the Union 
army took Bottom's Bridge. The corps advanced to Old Cold 
Harbor and camped there on the 21st. The object of this 
demonstration having been accomplished, no further advance 
was made, the corps camping at Old Cold Harbor until the 25th. 

It was evident that McDowell's army would not be permitted 
to leave the strategic line for the defense of Washington as long 
as Jackson could make raids down the Shenandoah Valley 
towards Harper's Ferry. McDowell was therefore held near 
Fredericksburg, and moved, as occasion seemed to require, 
towards the gaps in the mountains, through which Jackson and 
his army might make a descent upon Washington. The Sixth 
Corps left Cold Harbor on the 25th of May and marched towards 
Gaines Mill, on the Chickahominy River. Here the corps rested 
for two days. The men were occupied in the various duties of 
an actiye campaign. While occupied with these operations sev- 
eral severe battles had been fought by Porter's, Keyes' and 
Heintzelman's corps at Fair Oaks or Seven Pines and Savage 
Si-ation, in which the First New Jersey Brigade had no part. 



24 riRsr xBir jersey brigade. 

The Brigade received orders on June ist to prepare for march- 
ing. Cartridge-boxes were filled and rations issued. The heavy 
cannon and musketry firing on this day, heard on the left, kept 
the men in doubt as to their destination, though they expected 
to be ordered to Fair Oaks as a support. The battle of Fair 
Oaks was in progress, and to the waiting men it seemed a never- 
ending one. The Chickahuniiny River, swollen by almost daily 
rains, was impassable without bridges, and many of these had 
been entirely washed away or were so badly damaged that lhe\' 
had to be entirely rebuilt. The Fifth Corps, under General F. J. 
Porter, was -north of the Chickahominy, and was now cut off 
from the rest of the army. This shrewd leader and gallant 
fighter recognized his danger and set to work at once to repair 
the bridges, draw in his outlying troops and prepare for the 
struggle, which he knew must come. General R. E. Lee had 
succeeded Johnson in command of the rebel army, and was alert, 
quick and a splendid strategist. His spies kept him well in- 
formed of the condition of affairs on the Union side, and he 
began at once to get his army in readiness to, first, destroy or 
capture Porter's corps, and then turn upon the rest of the Union 
army and endeavor to destroy it. The safety of Porter's corps 
caused great concern to the other corps generals, but it evidently 
did not trouble McClellan much. Lee sent four of his best 
generals with their divisions to cut off and destro}' that part of 
the Union arm}' north of the Chickahominy. Porter had some- 
thing more than twenty thousand men of all arms, while the 
four divisions of Jackson, Longstreet, A. P. and D. H. Hill 
numbered over sixty thousand men. It was determined to with- 
draw the Fifth Corps to the south side of the Chickahominy, 
and all the heavy guns and wagon trains were ordered to cross 
<»n the two rickety bridges still available, and upon which the 
pioneers and details from the nearest regiments had worked 
night and day to render safe. Nearly all this had been accom- 
plished, and Porter was engaged in making disposition of his 
troops wlien the enemy appeared. The battle opened a little after 
noon of June 27th, without much preliminary skirmishing, the 
rebels evidently relying on their immensely superior numbers to 
crush at once the small force opposed to them. By 2 o'clock 



FIRST XBIV JERSEY BRIGADE. 25 

Porter was hard pressed and asked for help. Slociim's division 
of the Sixth Corps was ordered to proceed to his rehef and to 
cross by Alexander's bridge. He got on to the field at about 
half-past three, having been delayed by contradictorv orders 
Newton's brigade, being in the advance, was sent to the right 
of the line. Bartlett's brigade to' the center and Taylor's First 
New Jersey Brigade was distributed by regiments to those points 
on the left where assistance was most needed. 

General Taylor's report, Series i, Vol. ii, part 2. page 437, is 
as follows : "My command, by orders of General Slocum, left 
our intrenched camp on the right bank of the Chickahominy on 
Friday afternoon, the 27th of June, and crossed the said stream 
by Woodbury bridge. The battle begun the day previous had 
been renewed near Gaines' farm, where we arrived about 4 
o'clock P. M. I immediately formed my brigade in two lines, 
the Third and Fourth Regiments in front, and the First and 
Second Regiments in the second line. 

"My line was scarcely formed when the Third Regiment, under 
Lieutenant-Colonel Brown, was ordered to' advance forward into' 
the woods, where a fierce combat was raging. Colonel Brown 
immediately formed his regiment in line of battle, led it into the 
woods, and began a rapid fire upon the enemy. As this was the 
first of my regiments engaged, I will complete my report of it 
by saying that they continued the fight in the woods until the 
close of the action. They were all the time under a galling fire, 
often a cross-fire, but maintained their ground until near sunset. 
when the whole line fell back. They had at this time expended 
(a large majority of the men) their last cartridges — 60 rounds 
to the man. It is but justice to say that this regiment bore itself 
most heroically throughout the entire action. Their conduct was 
all that could be desired. With their comrades falling around 
them, they stood up like a wall of iron, losing over one-third of 
their number, and gave not an inch of ground until their am- 
munition was expended and the retrograde movement became 
general. They were under this fire one hour and a half. 

"The First Regiment entered the woods about half an hour 
after the Third, and remained until the close of the action. 
Colonel Torbert, being unwell, the regiment was led by Lieu- 



■26 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

lenant-Colonel McAllister, and well sustained b\' his presence and 
courag-e. I should, however, say that Colonel Torbert, though 
suffering from low fever, followed us to the field and was present. 
I take great pleasure in saying, for both these regiments fought 
under my own eye. that the First Regiment showed the same 
indomitable courage as the Third Regiment, exposing themselves 
to the leaden hail of an often unseen foe, advancing with the 
Third Regiment, and stood steadily under a most galling fire until 
the close of the action. Their loss was enlisted men killed, 20; 
wounded, 80; missing, 57. The loss of commissioned officers 
was I killed, 4 wounded and i missing; making a total of 163. 

"I ha\e now to speak of the SecO'nd and Fourth Regiments, the 
first of which, under Colonel Tucker, numbered only four com- 
panies, the other six being on duty in the field works at Camp 
Lincoln, left behind under Colonel Buck. While absent to the 
front, these four companies, by order of General Porter, and 
without my knowledge, w^ere sent into the woods suffering a most 
galling fire. Their loss was: enlisted men killed. 12; wounded, 
45 ; missing. 4c ; making a total of 97 enlisted men. I also regret 
to record the death of Colonel I. Tucker, and probably Major 
Ryerson, both of whom were left upon the field ; also Captain 
Danforth, mortally w'ounded, and Lieutenants Blewett. Root and 
Bogert, severely, and Lieutenant Callan missing. They, how- 
ever, sustained themselves most gallantly, and proved their 
courage against superior numbers. 

"The fate of the Fourth Regiment, Colonel Simpson, one of my' 
most ef-ficient regiments as regards officers and men — was most 
painful. At the moment when Aictory seemed wavering in the 
balance, an aide of General McClellan took them from my com- 
mand and ordered them into the woods. All the account I can 
give of them is. that but one officer, wounded, and 82 men have 
rejoined my command. All the rest, if li\ing, are believed to be 
prisoners of war. I learn from those who have come in that up 
to the time the regiment was surrounded they had received from 
and returned the enemy a most galling fire. I annex a report of 
the casulties of the day. showing the total loss of the Brigade. 

"Ill conclusion. I would say that so far as I am at present in- 
formed, my officers, commissioned and non-commissioned, nobly 



FIRST NEJV JERSEY BRIGADE. 27 

performed their duties, and it might, therefore, be invidious to 
particularize, still in justice to the gallant dead who have devote(J 
their lives to the country, I must record the names of Captain 
Brewster, of the First, and Captain Buckley, of the Third; also 
Second Lieutenant Howell, of the Third, all officers of dis- 
tinguished merit. These officers fought under my own eye. As 
regards the conduct of the Second and Fourth Regiment officers, 
1 am told that it was all that could be desired : but these regi- 
ments having been taken from me, I did not see them again during 
the action." 

In this battle the First Regiment lost Major Hatfield and Cap- 
tain E. G. Brewster, killed; Captain J. D. P. Mount, Lieutenants 
F. B. Holt and C. W. Mutchler, wounded; Lieutenant John 
Parker, missing. The Second Regiment lost Colonel L M. 
Tucker and Captain Danforth, killed; Major Ryerson and Lieu- 
tenant Blewett, Rott and Bogert, wounded; Lieutenant Callan, 
missing. 

This was the first battle in which the regiments of the First 
New Jersey Brigade were employed in actual hard fighting. 
That the men in it did their part with cool courage and soldierly 
discipline can be gathered from the foregoing reports. The 
list of casulties attests this, as can be seen from the following 
report taken from the official records; 

Enlisted 
Officers. Men. 

Pirst New Jersey— killed, 2 20 

wounded, 4 75 

captured, i 57 

7 152 = 159 

Second New Jersey — killed, 2 13 

wounded 3 52 

captured i 42 

6 107=113 

Third New Jersey— killed, 2 33 

wounded, 5 131 

captured, i 43 

8 207 = 215 



28 FIRST XEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

Fourth New Jersey — killed i 44 

wounded 7 96 

captured 22 415 

30 555 = 585 



1,072 



Alaking a total of 1,072 out of the Brigade. 
Battery "A" had five enlisted men wounded. 

General Michie, page 347, says: "Reliance npon this egre- 
gionsly erroneous estimate []\Iajor Allan, Chief or Secret Service, 
reported Lee's strength at one hundred and eighty thousand men] 
undoubtedly caused McClellan to justify to himself a most dis- 
proportionate division of his strength on the two sides of the 
Chickahominy, so that while Porter, at first with nine brigades 
comprising but thirty-seven regiments of infantry, afterward? 
re-enforced with the twelve regiments of Slocum's three brigades, 
was fighting twenty-seven Confederate brigades, comprising one 
hundred and fifteen regiments, Magruder, with but forty-three 
regiments in his eleven brigades, was holding at least nineteen 
Union brigades with over ninety regiments within their strong 
defensix'e lines in such a state of apprehension that the Cor}),- 
commanders did not deem it safe to detach any of their troops 
to re-enforce Porter, even when, late in the afternoon, his position 
was considered critical. Language is scarcely strong enough to 
condemn, in appropriate terms, the inefficient administration of 
the service of information whereby so gross a miscalculation 
should lia\-c e\'oh-ed. and especially since the two armies, with 
the exception of Jackson's corps, had been in close contact for a 
month. 

"Conceding, however, that McClellan was bound to make In- 
dispositions conform to his information, such as it was. it is 
scarcely possible, even with this concession, to justify the neces- 
sity, obligation or propriety of fighting the battle of Gaines' Mill. 
His strongest friends and warmest admirers — Porter. Franklin 
and Smith — sustained it in the expectation that McClellan would 
attack Magruder with the bulk of his forces on the south side, 
while Porter was holding the position to which he had been 
assigned to the last extremity. And if in his own mind he had 



FIRST XBW JERSEY BRIGADE. 29 

decided that there was no aUernative but a retreat to the James, 
it was incumbent upon him to withdraw Porter from Beaver 
Dam Creek in the darkness after his successful action of that 
day. The uncertain element in the whole problem that makes any 
forecast of probabilities difficult is whether McClellan possessed 
sufficient tactical abilit}^ to handle an army of one hundred thou- 
sand men in the battles that Lee would force upon him during- 
the retreat." 

From these reports and extracts it can be readily seen that the 
battle of Gaines' Mill was a mistake, or rather a series of mistakes, 
in that the battle should not have been fought in the first place, 
and second, as the rebels had forced it, it could have been fought 
under much more favorable conditions if McClellan had used 
the troops on the south side of the Chickahominy instead of 
allowing himself to be bluffed by a small portion of Lee's army. 
The battle ended \vith the capture of the Fourth New Jersey 
Regiment, which fate was shared by the Eleventh Pennsylvania, 
under Colonel Gallagher. 

On June 28th, the Brigade moved with the rest of the troops 
to the south side of the Chickahominy. The line of march was 
toward Savage's Station. Slocum's division of the Sixth Corps 
was ordered -to the Station to act as reserve and train guard, 
while the other two divisions remained in the neighborhood of 
the Chickahominy to act as rear guard. 

Savage Statiou is on the York River and Richmond Railroad, 
and was a supply depot for the army. Slocum's division arrived 
at the Station on the 29th. An enorm'ous amount of food, cloth- 
ing, ammunition and other supplies had been gathered there to 
supply the army, and as it was now in full retreat to the James 
River, it became necessary to destroy all that could not be loaded 
on the wagous to prevent its falling into the hands of the enemy. 
Great piles of boxes containing crackers, clothing, shoes, barrels 
of pork and beef, were made and set on fire. 

A long train of box and platform cars was loaded with powder, 
shells and cartridges, with two engines to draw it. The train 
was set on fire in many places, the engines started and the fire 
train dashed toward the Confederate lines. Twenty-five hundred 
wounded and sick men were abandoned, together with a great 
3 1^ B 



30 . FIRS7' XEIV JERSEY BRIGADE. 

number of ambulances, already hitched up, for transporting them. 
This action has been justified by the statement that in the hurried 
n-jovement many would have died, who, by not being moved at 
that time, would recover. 

The division (Slocum's) received orders the same day to pro- 
ceed to Charles City Cross- Roads to relieve General Keyes 
Accordingly it left Savage's Station on the 29th and fell back- 
across White Oak Swamp to rejoin the army, having performed 
the duty assigned in covering the withdrawal of the wagon trains. 

General Michie, in his work, on page 253, says : "First, 
Slocum's division of Franklin's corps, under direct orders of 
McClellan, crossed the swamp to- relieve Keyes and reached its 
destination at 7 P. M. of the 29th, but early next morning was 
moved out on the Charles City Road, alx)ut a mile from the junc- 
tion. Kearny's division of Heintzelman's corps crossed the 
swamp during the evening of the 29th, the whole division en- 
camping, at about 10 P. M., in the position afterwards occupied 
by Slocum, but next morning was moved to the left to guard the 
country between Charles City and New Market Roads, a front 
of about tw^o and a half miles. On this day it must have been 
evident to McClellan that Lee would attack that day, both at 
White Oak Swamp Bridge and at the cross-roads, and that the 
crisis of the retreat had arrived, and yet he had withdrawn him- 
self from the immediate vicinity of the battle-field where, had the 
consequences been averse, his armv would have been lost.'' 

The battle of Glendale, or Charles City Cross Roads, w-as 
foug-ht by division commanders, acting on their own initiative, 
and possibly for that reason was a great success for the Union 
army and a ver}^ severe repulse to the rebels. At 2 o'clock the 
enemy appeared in force on the Charles City road, and at 2 130 
P. M. the attack commenced down the road on General Slocum's 
left, but the enemy's onset was checked by his artillery. The bat- 
tle raged all the afternoon with varying fortunes, until about 
dusk, when McCall's Division of Pennsylvania Reserves, worn out 
with days of continuous fighting and nights of marching and loss 
of sleep, with ammum'tion nearlv exhausted, g'ave way. The 
situation was threatening, but Kearny, who was in command on 
that part of the line, had no thought of retiring. He sent one of 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 31 

his aides to Slocum's division with the message that he desired 
the assistance of his old Brigade. It was not quite dark when the 
aide rode up and dehvered his message. The m'en of the First 
New Jersey Brigade, though in as bad phght as McCall's division, 
with the exception that they were well supplied with ammunition, 
responded with enthusiasm and hastened to Kearny's assistance. 

The official reports, page 66, Series i, Part i, Vol. ii, says: 
^'Later in the day, at the call of General Kearny, General Taylor's 
First New Jersey Brigade, Slocum's division, was sent tO' occupy 
a portion of the position from which General McCall's division 
had been forced back by the attack of superior numbers, a battery 
accompanying the Brigade. They soon drove the enemy, who 
shortly afterward gave up the attack." 

General Kearny's report, page 163, Series i, Part 2, Vol. 11, 
contains the following ])assage : "It was at this conjunction that 
I arrived from my right. I found McCall's position abandoned, 
although not occupied by the enemy. I placed in it the First New 
Jersey Brigade, General Taylor. I then knew it to be in true 
hands." Further on, in the same report, page 164. he says: 
""In concluding my report of this battle — one of the most 
desperate of the war, the one the most fatal if lost — I am proud 
to give my thanks and to include in the glory of my own division, 
the First New Jersey Brigade, General Taylor, who held McCall's 
deserted ground — not only entitle them to share in the credit of 
our victory, but also ever after engender full sympathies between 
the two corps." 

In Foster's book, page 83, is found the following note: "On 
the 30th, while passing through White Oak Swamp, the rear 
guard of our army was violently assailed by a large force of 
the enemy. McCall's Pennsylvania Reserves, who held the front, 
being dri\-en back after a desperate encounter, when the rebels 
rushed forward to capture our guns, a succession of terrible 
struggles ensued. Finally, our troops gradually falling back, 
General Kearny, who was also engaged, sent a request to General 
Franklin for the First New Jersey Brigade, which was at once 
forwarded. As the men advanced at the call of their old leader, 
they were met by him and informed '^f the critical situation of 
affairs, when, forming in the edge of the woods and throwing off 



32 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

their knapsacks, the}' clashed at double quick toward the point of 
danger, cheering as they went with the wildest enthusiasm. But 
now the rebels, exhausted by their struggles, and alarmed by the 
cheers of the Jersey men, fell back in haste to the woods in their 
rear, and our forces were permitted to withdraw^ without further 
contest. Few events of the war illustrated so well the character 
of our troops, and the attachment they felt for General Kearny, 
as their eager response to his call for help — a response in whicii 
everything was abandoned that he might once more win the day. 
Kearny himself never forgot that day, and to the men of the 
First New^ Jersey Brigade the memory of the greeting he gave 
them as they hurried at his call will be ever precious." 

In this battle the Brigade fought for the first and last time 
under the command of General Philip Kearny. It has always 
been a source of congratulation among the survivors that they 
w^ere permitted to fight at least one battle under Kearny. 

The battle of Charles City Cross Roads ended about 9 P. M. 
The columns were almost immediately set in motion towards 
Malvern Hill, about two miles from the extreme left of the battle- 
field of Charles City Cross Roads, or Glendale. The battle of 
Malvern Hill was fought on July ist. The Sixth Corps was 
posted near the right of our lines, and, as the battle was fought 
by the left and the centre, the troops of this corps had but little 
part in it, except to act as support and look on. The battle proved 
an overwhelming defeat for the Confederate army, and the 
moment was opportune to follow it up and push the rebels int*/ 
their intrenchments at Richmond. But the usual hesitation and 
delay ensued and the opportunitv was lost. The battle over. 
the army continued its retreat to Harrison's Landing, where the 
troops were under the protection of the heavy guns of the navy. 
The army rested here from July 3d to August 13th. when per- 
emptory orders from Washington to withdraw the Army of the 
Potomac from the Peninsula were received. On the 14th inst. 
the movement was begun by the Third and Fifth Corps, whicli 
went to Yorktown. The Sixth Corps moved out on the i6th 
towards Fortress Monroe. An itinerary taken from Captain* 
Cunningham's diary shows that the march was to Newport News. 



* Captain Cunningham was then Lieutenant Cunningham, of the First Regi- 
ment, New Jersey Volunteers. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 33 

*'On the 17th inst., marched fifteen miles to the Chickahominy, 
which was crossed on a pontoon bridge, camping at WilHams- 
burg. On the i8th, marched twelve miles to Yorktown. On 
the 20th, marched to Big Bethel. On the 21st, marched to 
Hampton. On the 22d, marched eighteen miles to Newport 
News and camped. On the 23d, embarked on transports and 
proceeded to Fortress Monroe." 

The Sixth Corps proceeded by transport to Alexandria, arriv- 
ing there on the 24th, and immediately landed. 

The First New Jersey Brigade returned to its old camp near 
Alexandria, where it remained until the 26th. Their numbers 
were reduced by the battles of Gaines' Mill, Charles City Cross 
Roads, Malvern Hill, and by sickness to fifteen hundred men. 
The Fourth Regiment, captured at Gaines' Mill, had been ex- 
changed and returned to the Brigade at Harrison's Landing. 

The situation at Washington was greatly changed by the 
removal of the Army of the Potomac from Harrison's Landing. 
The Confederate army, before that event, had been between two 
fires. They were now relieved of the one they considered the 
most dangerous and immediately took advantage of that fact. 
The authorities at Washington, having lost confidence in 
McClellan, had called from the West Major-General John Pope, 
whose operations at Island No. 10 in the Mississippi River, and 
at other points in the West, had been successful. This General, 
almost unknown to the Army of Virginia, except by newspaper 
reports, committed the error of reflecting on the ability of the 
Eastern armies and their leaders, in his first general order, par- 
ticularly in the unfortunate sentence, "that he had come from a 
section where the soldiers Were accustomed to seeing the backs 
of their enemies, and who never took a step backward, but always 
forward," and more to the same effect. The men naturally 
looked for grand strategic operations and successful encounters 
with the enemy. Major-General Halleck, Commander-in-Chief, 
had instructed Pope to seize and hold all lines of communication 
between Washington and Richmond in the vicinity, and on the 
Rappahannock River. Pope carried out his instructions faith- 
fully, and watched the manoeuvres of the enemy with eager antici- 
pation of scoring a victory, whenever the opportunity presented 
itself. The Army of Virginia, which he commanded, was com- 



34 FIRST XEIV JERSEY BRIGADE. 

posed of the First Corps, commanded by General Franz Sigel, 
numbering about eleven thousand five hundred men ; the Second 
Corps, under General Nathaniel P. Banks, about fourteen thou- 
sand five hundred, and the Third Corps, under General Irwin 
McDowell, about eighteen thousand five hundred men. There 
were also in this army two brigades of cavalry, under Brigadier- 
Cknerals George D. Bayard and John Buford. These corps gave 
Pope a force of about forty-nine thousand five hundred men. 
Each corps was amply provided with artillery. 

Upon Pope's taking command of the Army of Virginia, ex- 
plicit promises had been made to him that re-enforcements from 
the Army of the Potomac would be sent forward to him as fast 
as they arrived at Alexandria or Aquia Creek. The first re- 
enforcements to reach the field of operations was General John 
Reynolds, with a brigade of Pennsylvania Reserves, who re- 
ported to Pope on August 23d, nearly two weeks after the time 
re-enforcements had been promised. Before this the battle of 
Cedar, or Slaughters, Mountain, fought on the 9th of August, 
by General N. P. Banks, Union, and Jackson, Confederate, re- 
sulted disastrously for the Union force. Jackson soon discovered 
the disparity in the forces of the two armies, and at once sent 
word to General Lee. Lee immediately ordered Jackson to start 
on a raid around the right of the Union army, to cut its lines of 
communication with Washington, and do whatever damage he 
could. Jackson, by forced marches, succeeded in getting in to the 
Virginia Valley through Thoroughfare Gap in the Bull Run 
Mountains. He brushed aside or captured what small detach- 
ments of Union troops he met, and on the 26tli of August cap- 
tured Manasas Gap Junction and Manasas Station, where an 
immense store of supplies for Pope's army had been collected. 

On August 27th, 1862, General Taylor, commanding the First 
New Jersey Brigade, received orders tO' go to the front and find 
General Pope and learn the cause of his silence, as no word had 
been received from him for twenty-four hours. The Brigade 
boarded the cars on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad at Camp 
California, and proceeded towards Bull Run Bridg-e. When the 
train reached a break in the road, caused by a collision the night 
before, about a quarter of a mile from the bridge, the Brigade 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 35 

di sen barked and formed column. No artillery or support ac- 
companied the Brigade. Taylor marched the Brigade to the 
bridge and, after crossing, on mounting a small rise of the 
ground, gave orders to the commanders of regiments toi leave 
tents, blankets and knapsacks there, evidently believing that the 
.force opposed to him was small, perhaps only guerrillas. The 
Brig-ade advanced in column of division, a line of skirmishers 
being about five hundred yards in advance. The First Regi- 
ment led, the Second and Third Regiments following. The 
Fourth was ordered to hold the bridge, a guard from it having 
been left at the cars. In front of the Brigade was a depression, 
terminating on the further or west side in a hill with a slight 
curve. On this hill were seen two batteries and some cavalry, 
which at first were taken to be Union troops. The First Regi- 
ment now deployed in line of battle, on the right, facing one of 
the batteries. The Second Regiment also deployed into line of 
battle on the left, facing the battery on the left, with an interval 
of about fifty yards between the two regiments. The Third Regi- 
ment about two hundred yards in the rear, in column of division, 
moved forward opposite the interval between the First and 
Second Regiments. As soon as the Bdgade had reached a point 
about three hundred yards from the batteries, all doubt as to 
their character was dispelled by their opening fire with shell, 
grape and canister. At the same time a line of infantry appeared 
on the crest of the hill and opened fire at once. 

A storm of balls struck the Brigade and General Taylor 
ordered the regiments to charge the batteries, which they pre- 
pared to do. The effect of the enemy's fire was too much for 
them, however, and the regiments were obliged to retire toward 
the bridge after an hour's exposure to the enemy's fire. The 
enemy's cavalry made a demonstration on the left in a threaten- 
ing manner, but upon the regiments forming in column to resist 
cavalry, they withdrew. The retreat was conducted with order 
and without any undue haste or appearance of panic, the enemy 
following closely. A rear guard fight was maintained until the 
bride-e was reached, when some confusion attended the crossing, 
and here the enemy's cavalry and infantry captured about two 
hundred prisoners. It was at this time that General Taylor was 



36 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

wounded in tlie lower part of his right leg. He was put upon a 
stretcher and carried from the field, calling out to the men to 
stand and make a fight for the bridge. 

General Taylor was a veteran of the Mexican War, in which 
he had served with some distinction and had gained for himsel 
the reputation of being absolutely without fear. He nevt 
hesitated in carrying out any order, and always with soldierly' 
exactness and promptitude. In the advance to Manassas battle- 
field he must have believed that the work given him to do was 
not a very difficult task, as shown by the bold and rapid march 
towards the enemy, without even a single piece of artillery or 
any support. It is well within reason to believe that, had he even 
suspected any superior force to confront him, he would have 
conducted the affair on quite different lines. One regiment sent 
out as a reconnoitering force could have developed the number 
of the enemy's force. 

At the bridge the New Jersey Brigade were re-enforced by 
the Eleventh and Twelfth Oihio Regiments of General Cox's 
Kanawha Division, under command of Colonel E. P. Scammon, 
an officer of the Regular Army, who- had been ordered up as a 
support. As soon as the confused mass of men of the Jersey 
Brigade had crossed the bridge. Colonel Scammon moved for- 
ward and opened fire on the enemy,, who were now beginning to 
cross the bridge. The well-sustained fire of the Ohio regiments 
checked the enemy's advance and the Jersey Brigade were ordered 
to the rear around a curve of the railroad where a cut afforded 
some protection. The Brigade re-formed behind this shelter and 
were again in condition to meet the enemy. The Confederates 
took shelter in the rifle pits and trenches on the heights on the 
west side of Bull Run. They were a part of Jackson's corps, and 
consisted of the brigades of Field, Pender, Archer and Thomas, 
antl the batteries were commanded by Poague and Carpenter. 
Their fire did but little damage at this point, but kept the brigades 
in position until it was seen that both infantry and cavalry were 
crossing Bull Run by fords above the bridge. Colonel Scam- 
mon, who had assumed command of all the Union troops with 
him, in the absence of General Taylor, ordered the brigades to 
retire towards Fairfax Station, the enemy following for about 







H. BURD GRUBB, 

Brevet Brigadier-General, U. S. V. 

Chairman Historical Committee. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 37 

half a mile. The New Jersey Brigade, in company with Scam- 
mon's command, retired, without further encounter with the 
enemy, to Fairfax Station, and there took the road to Cloud's 
Mills via Annandale road, arriving at twelve o'clock on the 28th 
of August. In this affair the Jersey Brigade showed the same 
steadiness and courage that made them \yelcome to any other 
troops they were temporarily in contact with. The training of 
their beloved Kearny was their mainstay. Jackson, in his re- 
port, shows his appreciation of the soldierly qualities of the 
Jersey boys in this sentence : "The advance was made with great 
spirit and determination. If I had a division of such troops I 
could take Washington," 

The following reports, taken from the Official Records of 
the Union and Confederate Armies, give a more exact description 
of the affair. 

Report of Major William Henry, Jr., commanding the First 
New Jersey Volunteers. Official Records, page 539, Vol. 12, 
Series i : 

Headquarters ist N. J. Voes., Sept. 6th, 1862. 

Sir — In obedience to your order of this date, I have the honor to report 
that, on the 27th of August, this regiment, in command of Lieut.-Colonel 
Collet, with the Brigade in command of Brigadier-General Geo. W. Taylor, 
proceeded by the Orange and Alexandria Railroad from camp California, 
two miles south of Alexandia to Bull Run Bridge, on said road, whence the 
regiment on the right of the Brigade, marched to Manassas Plains, some two 
miles from the bridge, and encountered a large force of the enemy in formi- 
dable position on the heights. By order of the General commanding the left 
company of this regiment, commanded by Lieutenant Roberts, of Co. C, were 
deployed as skirmishers 500 yards to the front, the enemy's skirmishers 
retiring. 

The regiment, in close cohimn of division, deployed into line of battle, 
and, by order of the General, advanced to engage the enemy's artillery, 
stationed in a redout directly in front, which, in connection with the artil- 
lery on the right, had opened upon our advancing force with a heav}^ dis- 
charge of round shot, shell and grape, through which the regiment advanced 
in good order, undaunted and defiant. 

The enemy, in the meantime, had deployed a large force of cavalry and 
■considerable infantry, exhibiting a strength that it was apparent our Brigade 
was entirely inadequate to cope with, which, being discovered by the General, 
he gave the order to fall back, the enemy's cavalry and infantry in the mean- 
time advancing and attacking us in force. Column against cavalry was 
formed and the Brigade marched in good order to the rear. In the execu- 
tion of this order, accomplished by a rapid movement, the principle part of 
our loss was sustained. 



38 riRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

Recrossing the bridge at Bull Run a portion of the regiment was filed tc 
the left, with the order to hold the bridge, the enemy's infantry closely pur-j 
suing, and firing with comparatively insignificant effect from the right banl 
of the stream diagonally across the bridge, which was replied to with gooc 
effect by our men. After being thus engaged, and holding the bridge for the' 
space of about half an hour, the Eleventh and Twelfth Ohio Volunteers, 
under command of Colonel Scammon, who assumed command of the com- 
bined forces, consisting of the First Brigade and two regiments of Ohio Vol- 
unteers (the Eleventh and Twelfth), General Taylor having received a wound 
which disabled him from duty, and being thus relieved by fresh regiments 
which had not been exposed to the enemy's fire, the undersigned, who was 
at this time in command, Lieut.-Col. Collet suffering from the effects of 
excessive fatigue and sunstroke, ordered his men to the rear, where the main 
body of his regiment had at this time assembled. 

The loss to this regiment in the affair here reported vvas killed, wounded 
and missing, 152. 

The regiment marched on the night of the 27th inst., with the force referred 
to, via Fairfax Station and the Braddock road to Annandals, thence by the 
Little River Turnpike, arriving at this camp near Cloird's Mill, at 12 M. the 
day following, August 28th. 

WILLIAM HENRY, Jr., 

Major First New Jersey Vols. 

CoL. A. T. A. TORBERT, 

1st N. J. l^ols. Coiinnaiidiiig Brigade. 

The Third Regiment, under Colonel Henry W. Brown, did 
not suffer as heavily as the First and Second Regiments, it being" 
held as a reserve, as will be seen from Colonel BroAvn's report 
here appended : 

Headquarters Third New Jersey Volunteers. 

1ST Brigade, ist Division, 6th Corps. 

Camp Seminary, Sept. 6th, 1862. 

Sir — I have the honor to report that on the morning of the 27th ulto.^ 
about 3 o'clock, orders were received to be ready to march immediately, and 
the regiment, which was then encamped at the foot of the hill near the 
seminary, marched at daybreak to the railroad depot near Fort Ellsworth^, 
where it was placed on the cars with the other regiments of the Brigade and 
the train moved off immediately. About 9 o'clock A. M. of the same day 
we came to a point on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, about a quartei* 
of a mile this (east) side of Bull Run Bridge, where we found the road 
obstructed by the debris of cars from a collision the night before. The regi- 
ment left the cars and moved up the railroad, crossing Bull Run Bridge,, 
when I filed to the left of the road and formed it by column of division on 
the high ground to the left of the track. Here I was ordered to relieve the 
men of tents, blankets, knapsacks, &c., and they were consequently thrown, 
upon the ground. 

From a little previous to 10 o'clock A. M. cannonading was heard on the 
front, and from the point we now occupied skirmishers were observed to 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 30 

our front and left. I now received orders to follow the Second Regiment, 
and the line of march was obliquely to the right across the railroad, and after 
a march of one and a half miles, through rough but open country, we came 
to a dwelling-house and the marks of an old camp, when suddenly the enemy 
opened on our right and left flanks with artillery at short range. A battalion 
of cavalry now showed itself on our left, when I formed my regiment in 
double column at half distance and was ordered to take my position two hun- 
dred or three hundred yards to the rear and opposite the interval between 
the First and Second Regiments, which were in line of battle. Thus formed 
the Brigade moved, the First towards the guns on the right, the Second 
towards those on the left, the Third moving opposite the interval, as pre- 
viously ordered, for a mile or thereabout, when I was ordered to halt and 
deploy, the enemy's cavalry having moved to the rear of his right. Almost 
immediately skirmishing was heard in front. Shortly after the leading regi- 
ments fell back on my line in good order, and the enemy's cavalry again 
appeared on our left when I again prepared to receive them, and retreated 
in column, by order of the General, across an open country to an elevated 
position on the railroad, and there formed a line of battle behind some trees 
and ranks of wood. When the First and Second Regiments had passed I 
continued the retreat towards Bull Run Bridge, sometimes threatened by the 
cavalry, when I formed column ; sometimes by artillery, who fired grape 
through my ranks, men and oflicers behaving admirably and moving in per- 
fect order. 

We now came to a ravine, the declivity of which was so steep that many 
of the men fell in descending, and in ascending the opposite side we received 
a destructive fire from the enemy's artillery at short range. Fatigue of in- 
cessant marching over bad roads and continuous fire of the enemy had 
thinned my ranks and many men had fallen out unable to march. The retreat 
being continued across the bridge, these stragglers were captured by the 
enemy. 

I was then placed with part of my regiment on a hill to the left of the 
road to protect the bridge, the other portion having moved down the rail- 
road. Here I was reinforced by the Twelfth Ohio, the Eleventh Ohio being 
somewhere to my left and rear. General Taylor was now wounded and car- 
ried to the rear and Colonel Scammon, of the Eleventh Ohio, assumed com- 
mand. The difficulty of the ground prevented the further pursuit of (by) 
the enemy's artillery, but they occupied the rifle pits on the opposite hill and 
commenced a heavy fire on our troops, which was vigorously replied to 'and 
continued nearly an hour. 

The enemy now having crossed the creek on our right in force, for the 
purpose of outflanking us, I was ordered in concert with the Twelfth Ohio 
to fall back along the brow of the hill and opposite the force trying to get in 
my rear. The bridge being now abandoned the enemy crossed with his 
infantry, the cavalry having previously passed by a ford above, and he being 
now on our left flank and pressing our front, we retreated slowly and in 
good order down the railroad, the enemy following about half a mile. 

The firing during the engagement was incessant and sometimes very heavy. 
The casualties, so far as known, are comparatively few, the troops having 
been pretty well screened by the hill on the left of the railroad, covered with 



40 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

dense woods. My chief loss was in prisoners taken by the enemy's cavalry 
who were captured in attempting to cross the bridge. I append a list of 
killed, wounded and missing so far as ascertained. 

My officers and men, almost without exception, behaved with the utmost 
gallantry, and showed the best qualities of soldiers by the quietude and steadi- 
ness of their retreat under galling fii-e. 

I have the honer to be, sir, your most obedient servant, 

H. W. BROWN, 

Colonel Commanding 
Capt. Robt. T. Dunham, 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



I 



The Fourth Regiment was left on the east side of the bridge 
to hold it. Nine companies were stationed there, and the tenth 
company was deployed as skirmishers to prevent the position 
from being flanked. The regiment had been exchanged only 
about two weeks previously. 

An extract from the diary of Captain John P. Beach, of 
Company B, Fourth Regiment : "As we got off the cars we 
heard heavy firing in the direction of Bull Run. The Brigade 
marched up to Bull Run bridge. General Taylor took the First, 
Second and Third Regiments over the bridge and advanced 
towards the heights beyond, leaving the Fourth Regiment to 
hold the bridge. Nine companies held the bridge, while the other 
(my company, B,) was deployed along Bull Run as skirmishers 
to the right of the bridge, to prevent a flank attack. General 
Taylor, seeing some rebels in some of the old earthworks, formed 
his command and advanced upon a rebel battery in his front. x\s 
he advanced two other batteries, which had been masked, opened 
a destructive fire upon his chargiug column, compelling them to 
fall back to the bridge." 

The Second Regiment had the same experience as the First, 
its loss in killed, wounded and captured being but two less than 
that of the First Regiment. 

The Comte de Paris, in his work on the Civil War. Vol. 2, 
page 278, says : 

"Fortunately, Franklin's corps had landed on the afternoon 
of the 26th (August). It was positively destitute of everything 
that an amiy needs for its march, having neither horses, wagons, 
cannon, rations or ammunition. Nevertheless, on the morning 
of the 27th, one of his brigades, composed of New Jersey 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 41 

troops under General Taylor, proceeded by rail as far as Bull 
Run bridge, got off the cars, crossed the stream, and boldly 
advanced to see what they could discover in the direction of 
Manassas. The Confederates, seeing this handful of men, for 
they only numbered one thousand or twelve hundred, concealed 
themselves in the woods and the works, and when the Federals 
were within a very short distance, they opened a terrific fire 
upon them, which laid one-third of their party low. The rem- 
nants hastily fled to the other side of Bull Run and to Centre- 
ville, conveying with them their wounded general. At Centre- 
ville a few troops rallied around the debris of this unfortunate 
brigade." 

There seems to be a discrepancy in the numbers as given by 
the different authorities. Foster gives the total number at about 
i,ioo, though in adding his figures for the several regiments 
together there is a difference of lOO men. He gives the First 
Regiment 300: the Second, 250; the Third, 375, and the Fourth 
Regiment, 75; total, 1,000. As nearly as is possible to ascertain 
the exact number of each regiment it is computed that the First 
Regiment had about 300; the Second, more than 250; the Third 
nearly 400, and the Fourth, about 500. Colonel Torbert, in his 
report of the affair, says the brigade moved out 1,600 strong, 
which is nearer the actual number than either Foster or the 
Comte de Paris. The brigade numbered between 1,400 and 
1,500 men. 

The loss of the brigade in the engagement was 339, distributed 
as follows : 

Killed. IVoHuded. 

1st Regiment, .... i enlisted man. 46 enlisted men. 

2d Regiment, .... 7 enlisted men. 55 enlisted men. 
I officer. 3 officers. 

3d Regiment, 3 officers. 

II enlisted men. 

4th Regiment, i officer. 

5 inen. 

Add to this i general officer and i staff officer wounded, 

339 



Captured. 


Total. 


85 enlisted men. 


132 


61 enlisted men. 




3 officers. 


130 


50 enlisted men. 


64 


5 enlisted men. 


II 




337 


■d, 


2 







42 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

The brave Taylor died in the hospital at Alexandria, from 
the effect of the amputation of his leg on September ist. 

The ojfficers wounded in this battle were Captains Wildrick.j 
Bishop and Stahl, of the Second. Lieutenant Plume was th( 
officer killed. Captain Stickney and Lieutenants Carr anc 
Taylor (nephew of the General), of the Third, and Captain Nip- 
pins, of the Fourth. 

The Brigade having returned to its old camp. Colonel Tor- 
bert, of the First Regiment, assumed command. The men hav- 
ing lost all their camp equipments except their arms and cart- 
ridge-boxes, the brigade quartermaster at once began the task of 
furnishing them with the necessary supplies. 

The rest was very short, for on the 29th August orders were 
received for an immediate advance. The regiments left camp 
and marched to Benton's Tavern, on the Little River turnpike, 
about seven miles, and bivouacked. The next dav they marched 
to Fairfax Court House. Here General Slocum, commanding 
the division, ordered four companies to be left, and the rest of 
the Brigade to proceed two miles from Fairfax Court House 
and camp with Hexamer's Battery "A", on the Centreville pike. 
Accordingly, four companies of the First Regiment were left 
at the Court House, under command of Captain Baker. From 
this camp one company of the First Regiment was sent out to 
Germantown to picket from there to the Centreville road and 
beyond, the line extending something more than half a mile. On 
the 31st of August Major DuftV, with six companies of the 
Second Regiment, relieved the four companies of the First Regi- 
ment. Major Duffy was empowered to act as provost marshal, 
and was instructed to place strong picket posts on the Flint Hill 
and Vienna road, Falls Church road and Fairfax Station road. 
Also to guard a number of prisoners. Early in the morning the 
picket force in front of the brigade was doubled, and the line 
extended a mile up the Little River turnpike to the right of Ger- 
mantown. Sometime after noon a body of Confederate cavalry 
made a dash on the Little River pike, capturing Captain Hight, 
Second U. S. Cavalry, about three miles from Germantown. 
Colonel Hatch, of the Fourth Regiment, was sent out with half 
his command to re-enforce the pickets, which move caused the 
•enemv to retire. 



FIRST XEJV JERSEY BRIGADE. 43 

^ Colonel Torbert, commanding the Brig-ade, in his report, page 
538, Vol. 12, Series i, says: "About dark I received orders from 
General Pope tO' send two regiments and two pieces of artillery 
as a guard to- the trains, enroute to' Alexandria, as far as Clouds 
Mills. I sent the First and Third Regiments, New Jersey Volun- 
teers, leaving me two regiments and four pieces of artillery. 

"About 8 P. M. the enemy brought three pieces of artillery into 
position at the edge of the woods between the two turnpikes, 
about 300 yards from the pickets and the same distance from the 
Centreville pike, where the trains were moving. They fired six 
shots into the train and my camp, killing twO' or three horses and 
stampeding the trains. Drivers deserted their wagons and the 
greatest confusion existed. My guards, stationed on the road to 
arrest stragglers, by great exertions stopped the train and re- 
stored order, forced men to take charge of wagons and drive them 
to Alexandria and toward Centreville. I immediately advanced 
a. portion of my picket line opposite the artillery, which retired ; 
prepared my own artilery for action ; sent the Second Regiment, 
New Jersey Volunteers, up the Centreville pike opposite the point 
where the train was shelled, then sent a staff officer to report to 
General Pope the state of affairs." 

General Pope sent five regim'ents of Dana's brigade, under 
Colonel Hinks, and two batteries as a support, but they did not 
arrive until the next morning, vSeptember ist. During the morn- 
ing the enemy's cavalry pickets wounded one of the pickets of the 
brigade, but no other demonstration was made. Late in the day, 
by order of General Pope, the Brigade was marched tO' German- 
town and was temporarily under the general command of General 
Hooker. Here the Brigade was formed in line of battle and so 
remained the whole night, in a drenching rainstorm. The First 
and Third Reg-im-ents and the six companies of the Second Regi- 
ment, under Major Duffy, who had been left to guard Fairfax 
Court House, rejoined the Brigade here. The First New Jersey 
Brigade took no further part in this campaign. The second battle 
of Manassas had been fought and won by the Confederate army. 
The Union amiy, defeated and almost demoralized, sought shelter 
behind the defenses of Washington. The loss to the Union cause 
in commanding officers and rank and file was great, but the loss 



44 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

of prestige greater. The 29th and 30th of August, 1862, seemed 
to those who had watched anxiously the course of events, to be 
the darkest days in the National calendar. Some historians at- 
tribute the disaster to jealously and spite on the part of some of 
the corps commanders, others to Pope's incapacity. However 
that may be, one opportunity of crippling Lee's army was de- 
liberately abandoned when McDowell and Sigel were withdrawn 
from their positions between Jackson's troops and Thoroughfare 
Gap. 

The Brigade returned to its old camp near Alexandria, and 
while here the command was given to Colonel Torbert, of the 
First New Jersey Volunteers. The work of refurnishing the 
Brigade, interrupted by the march to the front, was resumed. It 
was at this camp that the news of Kearny's death was cor- 
roborated by official report. The Brigade was deeply moved by 
the sad news. Every man in the Brigade felt the death of their 
hero to be a personal loss. 

Kearny's career in the Army of the Potomac had been so full 
of conspicuous deeds that his death was a great blow to the Gov- 
ernment. It is now known that, had he lived two days longer, 
he would have been appointed to the command of the two armies. 

Kearny was killed at Chantilly, Va., on the evening of Sep- 
tember I St, just about dusk, while inspecting his line, and had 
ridden outside the lines to find out the position of the enemy in 
his front. A heavy mist had risen which obscured objects close 
by, and prevented his seeing the Confederate picket post, into 
which he rode. At their command to halt, he wheeled his horse 
and rode toward the Union lines. A shot from the Confederate 
pickets killed him instantly. 

While the armies were not so demoralized as io make them 
unsafe as a guard to the Capital, they were certainly in a very 
bad way. There seemed to be but one man at this juncture who 
could re-organize the army and who had the confidence of the 
men to such an extent that his efforts tO' re-establish order and 
re-organize the army would be successful. This man was General 
McClellan, but a month before stripped of his army and left with 
but a handful of escort and camp guards. General Pope was 
allowed to return to the West. After much opposition from the 



!^aSSSSSSSS8«SS»^ggis?gig>S«Si»gg^gSg^(g 





GENERAL GEORGE B. McCLELLAN. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 45 

Cabinet and other high officials, President Lincohi appointed 
General McClellan to the command of the Armies of Virginia and 
the Potomac. The two armies were consolidated and becam-e the 
Army of the Potomac. Various changes were made in the corps 
commanders and in the numbering of the corps. McClellan set 
about re-establishing discipline and re-organization at once, and 
with his fine ability for disciplining and mobilizing brought the 
army into something like its old efficiency and enthusiasm. 

Meanwhile, General Lee, knowing the condition of the Union 
army, and believing it to be incapable, for the present at least, of 
any great obstructive strategy, recognized the opportunity of 
making a diversion in favor of the Southern Confederacy by an 
invasion of the North that might give them the much-desired 
recognition by European States, crossed the Potomac and ad- 
vanced to Frederick, Maryland. Here he issued an appeal to the 
people to throw offi the "yoke of the oppressor" and cast their 
fortunes with the Southern Confederacy. The appeal fell flat 
and the Confederates had to content themselves with seizing such 
portable property as would be of use to^ the Confederate army. 

Harper's Ferry, but a few miles west and south of Frederick, 
was held by Colonel Miles, of the United States Regular Army, 
with about 8,0C0' men, 2,000 of which force were cavalry. Col- 
onel Ford with 1,100 men held Maryland Heights, and General 
White Avas at Martinsburg, West Virginia, with 2,000 troops. 
White retired from Martinsburg on the 12th of September and 
joined Colonel Miles' command, generously declining to take com- 
mand, but asked i^ermission to serve under him. The force at 
Harper's Ferry and immediate vicinity was now 11,000 men and 
all arms. This post being in tht rear of Lee's army, the number 
of its garrison was too important tO' be allowed to remain there. 
General Lee sent Jackson with his corps and McLaw's, R. H. 
Anderson's and Brigadier-General John G. Walker's divisions to 
reduce Harper's Ferry and capture or disperse the small army that 
held it. 0!n the evening of the 12th Jackson arrived in front of 
Harper's Ferry and began to invest it. Colonel Ford, on Mary- 
land Heights, was attacked by superior numbers and, after a 
rather feeble resistance, retired tO' Harper's Ferry on the 13th of 
September and joined Colonel Miles. The latter sent away the 
cavalry force, thus reducing his strength to 9,000 men. 
4 F B 



46 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

To meet the invading Confederates the First, Second, Third, 
one division of the Fourth, Sixth, Ninth and Twelfth Corps 
were despatched to confront Lee and his army. 

The Sixth Corps left their camp near Alexandria on September 
6th, crossed to Potomac at Georgetown, by the Long Bridge. 
On the 7th inst. it had passed Tenallytown, D. C, and on the 
8th camped at Muddy River. Passing through Darnestown, 
Barnesville and Urbana it camped at the foot of the Catoctin- 
Mountains on the 13th. This corps, with Couch's division of the 
F^ourth Corps, formed the left wing of the army, and had been 
instructed to push forward to relieve Colonel Miles, without 
delay. On the morning of the 14th of September the corps 
passed over the Catoctin Mountains, passing through Jefferson 
and arriving at Burkettsville. Near here the enemy's pickets were 
met, when the First Division was formed to attack. General 
Lee had calculated to reduce Harper's Ferry in time to gather 
together his dismembered army before the Union army could bej 
concentrated, in which case he would not have to guard the 
passes in the South Mountain Range, but the resistance Jacksoi 
met at Harper's Ferry made it necessary to delay the Union] 
army as much as possible by preventing its using the passes inl 
South Mountain Range. With this object in view he sent de-| 
tachments to Turner's and Crampton's Gaps, with instructions' 
to prevent, at all hazards, the Union troops from passing through. 

It was mid-day of the 14th when the skirmishers of Colonel 
Bartlett's brigade,' of the First Division, Sixth Corps, came in 
contact with the enemy. The Sixth Corps, intent upon the ob- 
ject of its mission, advanced steadily till the foot of South 
Mountain Range was reached. Our skirmishers had pushed the 
enemy's skirmishers back to a stone wall at the foot of the moun- 
tain. Colonel Bartlett's brigade was deployed and formed the 
first line, the First New Jersey Brigade, in line of battle, forming 
the second line. At half-past two the Jersey Brigade relieved 
I^)artlett's brigade and became the first line. The advance began 
at once. The Confederates opened the battle with a heavy 
artillery fire, with guns placed at various points on the side of the 
mountain. The Union lines advanced steadily and in splendid 
form. The Confederate advance line, posted l^ehind the stone 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 47 

wall already mentioned, opened fire on the skirmishers, who 
now retired. The two lines of battle advanced to within three 
hundred yards of the enemy and opened a brisk fire, but were 
much annoyed by the enemy's eight pieces of artillery posted on 
the mountain side. It soon became evident that the infantry 
must do all the fighting on the Union side, as it was impossible 
to elevate the artillery sufficiently to be effective. The first line 
charged the stone wall and drove the enemy in confusion up the 
mountain. The second line charged over the first line and the 
Jersey Brigade went up the side of the mountain, a most steep 
and difficult ascent, even when not hampered by knapsack, over- 
coat and blanket. The Confederates re-formed in Crampton's 
Gap and on the crest of the mountain, but the Jersey men 
charged into them and drove them through the gap and down 
the further side into the plain below. The victory was complete 
j and the fruits of it were the utter rout of the enemy, the cap- 
ture of about 300 prisoners, three stands of colors, twO' of them 
by the Fourth Regiment, yoo rifles of the latest improved Spring- 
field pattern and one gim, besides quantities of knapsacks, haver- 
sacks, blankets, &c. With these captured rifles the Fourth 
Regiment was completely armed, they, since their return from 
captivity, having been furnished w'ith old smooth-bore muskets. 
The loss to the Brigade was one officer, Lieutenant Josiah Stud- 
deford, of the Fourth Regiment, killed, 39 non-commissioned 
officers and enlisted men killed, and 125 wounded. Total 174. 
This battle was the most brilliant achievement of the Brigade to 
this 'time. The following order of congratulation was issued by 
Colonel Torbert : 

HEADQUARTERS 1ST BRIGADE, 1ST DIVISION, 6TH CoRPS, 

Camp in Crampton's Pass, Maryland, Sept. 15th, 1862. 

Soldiers of the First Neiu Jersey Brigade: The 14th day of September, 
1862, is one long to be remembered, for on that day you dashingly met and 
drove the enemy at every point. Your advance in line of battle under a 
galling artillery fire, and final bayonet charge, was a feat seldom, if ever, 
surpassed. The heights you took show plainly what determined and well 
disciplined soldiers can do. 

You have sustained the reputation of your State, and done great credit to 
your officers and yourselves. While we lament the death of our brave com- 
rades who have fallen so gloriously, we can only commend their souls to 



48 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

God, and their sorrowing friends to His sure protection. May you go fron? 
victory to victory is the hope and wish of the Colonel commanding Brigade 

A. T. A. TORBERT, 

Colonel Commanding. 

The following extract is taken from an address delivered bv 
General E. Burd Grubb to the "Kearny First New Jersey Brigade j 
Society" at their annual reunion, held at Edgewater Park, Bur- 
lington County, N. J. (General Grubb's home), September 20th, , 
1888, page 2 : 

"The road from Burkettsville to Crampton's Pass lies through 
a beautiful rolling country, with the sweet pasture lands of 
]\Iaryland lying on either side, thickly dotted with farm houses. 
A short distance from Burkettsville the road rises to ascend the 
South Mountain and passes over it, through a narrow gorge, 
walled on either side by very steep hills ; at the foot of the hills 
were fields enclosed by stone walls and the hills were thickly 
wooded. There were two ranges of low hills and then the 
mountain top, forming a natural and admirable position for the 
placing in position of artillery. 

"As General Franklin approached the gap, his scouts informed 
him that the pass was held by the enemy in force. He made his 
disposition about 2 o'clock in the afternoon of the 14th of Sep- 
tember to attack them. The attack was intended to Idc made by 
Newrton's Second Division and Slocum's First Division of the 
Sixth Corps. \\& may leave out the gallant part which the 
other troops of the First Division bore and confine ourselves to 
that which was borne by the gallant boys of our Brigade, for 
they really won the battle and I have never heard anylwdy den}- it. 
Colonel Torbert was in command of the First Brigade and at 
half past two o'clock in the afternoon he was ordered to relieve 
one of the regiments of General Newton's division, which was „ 
on his right, which he did with the Second New Jersey, and this 
really commenced the battle as far as our Brigade was con- 
cerned. The distribution of the Brigade was in two lines, the 
First and Second in one line and the Third and Fourth, about 
one hundred yards in the rear, composing the second line. They 
were supported by, Imt had no need of the other regiments of the 
First Division. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 49 

"Let us see what was opposed to them. The gap was held 
by Colonel T. T. Mnnford's brigade, of the Second Virginia 
Cavalry, the Sixth Virginia Cavalry, the Twelfth Virginia 
Ca^-alry and Seventeenth Virginia Cavalry and Chew's and Pel- 
ham's Virginia Batteries, eight gims in all. They were supported 
by Semme's brigade, the Tenth and Thirteenth Georgia, the 
Fifteenth and Thirty-Second Virginia, and a short distance in 
their rear, and as it turned out, within supporting distance. Cobb's 
brigade, comprising the Georgia Legion, the Sixteenth and 
Twenty-Fourth Georgia and the Fifteenth North Carolina; also 
Mahone's brigade, commanded by Colonel Parham. Colonel 
Munford, on seeing the advance of the infantry, opened with his 
artillery and sent back word to General Cobb to come to his 
support, and it was about that time that the Jersey Brigade 
charged. This charge is described by everyone who saw it, as 
one of the most magnificent, best sustained and most gallant 
charges that ever was seen. Torbert ordered the second line, 
composed, as I have said, of the Third and Fourth, to charge, 
which it did with a yell, rushing- over the fence behind which the 
first line, composed of the First and Second, were lying, which 
line immediately joined them, and the entire Brigade went over 
the fence, up to the stone wall, behind which the rebels were hid, 
and from which they were pouring a deadly fire. 

"The enemv fell back before our men could reach the wall, 
fleeing in some confusion across a small field to the second wall, 
closely pursued by the Brigade. There was no stand made at the 
second wall, which was, remember, almost at the foot of a steep 
hill, and the entire Brigade, yelling and charging", firing and in 
many instance eng-aging in sing-le combat with those who refused 
to surrender, rushed over the wall and scrambled, for that is the 
only word that expresses it, up the steep hill, with the enemy in 
front of them and in many cases among them. This hill was so 
steep that afterward, in company with some others, I found the 
greatest difficulty in cold blood in climbing it at all. Upon reach- 
ing the top of the hill, there was one of the most magnificent war 
scenes that any man could wish tO' see. Cobb's Legion and 
Semme's men were there, the artillery was at one end of the flat 
top of the hill, and the Jersey Brigade, flushed with victory, 



60 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

rushed with exultant yells upon it. The firing was very severe 
and a slight check was made on the top of the hill ; it was only 
for a moment, but sufficient for the rebels to get off all their guns 
but one ; another rush w-as made and this gun was taken. These 
with three stands of colors fell to the possession of that magnifi- 
cent regiment, which through no fault of its own or any of its 
members, but through the mischance of a badly arranged battle, 
had lost its liberty, its arms and its colors at Gaines' Mill — I mean 
that grand old regiment, the Fourth New^ Jersey. Well did the 
Brigade avenge them that day and well did they avenge them- 
sel\-es. for three hundred prisoners, three stands of colors, over 
seven hundred stands of arms of the most approved pattern, one 
piece of artillery and a large number of haversacks and blankets 
w^ere the spoils of the top of the hill at Crampton's Pass. 

"Over the hilltop they pursued, the enemy fleeing panic- 
stricken dovk^n, far down, on the other side. As long as they 
could pursue, they did pursue, but human breath and human legs 
cannot go very far over a mountain-top and so at the foot of the 
hill on the other side from wdiere they made their stand, the rebels 
stopped when night came down and they could no longer be seen 
to be captured. And when the evening's shade hid them from 
the view of our sharpshooters, they fell back two miles along the 
plain, and Crampton's Pass, the key of the rebel position, was in 
the hands of the Jersey Brigade. This w'as a clear and undis- 
puted victory, one of the ffew^ fights in the whole war, so far as T 
know, that the enemy made no claim to having won." 

"Howell Cobb, in his report of the battle, says : 'After the lines 
were broken all our efforts to rally the troops were unsuccessful. 
It is impossible for me to report the casualties, as the fate of a 
very large portion of the number wdio went into the battle is not 
certainly known; there are missing and unaccounted for over 
eight hundred.' Well, we have accounted for three hundred of 
this number as prisoners and the others wall probably answer t(^ 
their names on the day of judgm'ent. 

"General Semmes says in his report : 'I encountered fugitives 
from the battle and endeavored to turn them back ; proceeding- 
further up the mountain, the troops were pouring down in great 
disorder, when I found Howell Cobb and staff, at the imminent 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 51 

risk of their lives, using- every effort to check and rally them.' 
And Colonel Munford, in his report, says : 'When the other two 
regiments of General Howell Cobb's brigade came np he again 
requested me to put them in position, but they behaved badly and 
they did not get into position before the wildest confusion oc- 
curred, the wounded coming to the rear in numbers and more 
well men coming with them. General Cobb tried to rally the 
men, but without effect ; it would have been as useless to- attempt 
to rally a flock of frightened sheep." ^ I formed my command 
(cavalry) and moved down the mountain, the infantry still run- 
ning in great disorder on the Harper's Ferry road, followed a 
short distance by the enemv w^ho were then between them and the 
cavalry who had to' gO' for their horses. The enemy was at the 
fork of this road before many of the cavalry, who were the last 
to give up their position.' 

"This is the record of the Jersey Brigade made for itself on the 
14th of September, 1862. Its cost was heavy, but most remark- 
ably light compared with that of the enemy, notwithstanding its 
magnificent charge over two stone walls held by Virginia's best 
troops and up a hill so- steep that many oi the enemy fleeing before 
them were shot lengthwise, that is from foot tO' head." 

The First New Jersey Brigade camped at Crampton's Pass, on 
the battlefield they had so gallantly won. The rest of the Sixth 
Corps were in the immediate vicinity and here the corps remained 
until the morning of September 17th. Colonel Miles had been 
mortally wounded while making disposition of his troops to resist 
the attacks of Jackson. General White taking command, and 
seeing that overwhelming numbers would make further resist- 
ance a useless sacrifice of life, the surrounding heights being- 
occupied by the enemy's artillery, surrendered at 9 o'clock on the 
morning of September 15th, thus rendering any further effort 
to relieve them useless. 

On the morning of the 17th of September orders were received 
by General Franklin to march to Antietam, Maryland, where the 
most sanguinary battle of the war was foiight on this day, con- 
sidering the duration of the battle and the loss in killed and 
wounded. 

General P. S. Michie, in his memoirs of General McClellan, 
says, page 406: "The military situation presented exceptional 



52 I'IRST SEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

advantage to McClellan and the gravest disasters to Lee." The 
Gin federate forces had gathered at PVederick, Maryland, and 
from there were dispersed in different directions. Jackson with 
nearly one-half of the Confederate army was sent to reduce 
Harper's Ferry. Nine brigades of Longstreet's corps were sent 
t(j Ilagerstown, Maryland, while two brigades of Hill's corps 
were at Turner's Gap. and the rest of his corps at Boonsboro, 
Maryland. On the 13th of September, after the scattering of the 
Confederate army in different directions, the Union forces oc- 
cupied Frederick. Just after entering the town, a soldier found 
a c< »py of Lee's plan of campaign order, which was sent at once 
to McClellan. General Michie, page 406, says : "Thirty minutes 
should not have elapsed after coming into possession of Lee's 
plans Ijefore orders should have been issued by McClellan for the 
innnediate and speedy movement of his several corps to the South 
Mountain passes and Pleasanton should have been at once in- 
formed of the situation, with the necessity of extreme vigor of 
attack upon the Confederate rear guard." 

The Union army was more concentrated and, therefore, more 
readily moved to meet any emergency. General McClellan had 
re-f.rganized the army Ijetween the 2d and 6th of September, 
when he sent the First Corps, commanded by General Hooker, 
and the Ninth Corps, commanded by General Bumside, both 
under the command of Burnside. and comprised the right wing 
<.f the army, to Leesburg. Md. This force was followed by 
the Second Corps, commanded by General Sumner, and the 
'[\\clfth Corps, commanded by General A. S. Williams, both 
under command of General Sumner and composing the center, 
and were ordered to Rockville. The left wing commanded by 
General W. W. hVanklin was composed of the Sixth Corps and 
Couch's division of the Fourth Corps, the Sixth Corps camping 
at Tenallytown. and Couch's division at Offuts Cross-roads. 
General McClellan's headquarters on September 12th were at 
Urbana and on the 13th at Frederick. 

On the 1 2th two divisions of Fitz John Porter's Fifth Corps 
joined the army, which now numl>ered about 87,000 men. The 
strength of the Confederate army was less than 50,000 men or 
less than three-fifths of that of the l^nion armv. McClellan's 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. • 53 

mind was still dominated by the belief that Lee's army outnum- 
bered the Union army, placing their strength at nearly 100,000. 
With this controlling belief, he moved his different corps with 
great caution, thus causing delay. This and the lack of prompt- 
ness in making such disposition of his army as to overwhelm the 
Confederate army in detail, made possible by his possession of 
Lee's order, gave the latter what he most wanted, time to con- 
centrate his army. Om the i6th of September his different corps 
and detachments were rapidly marching towards Sharpsburg, 
where he had designed to await McClellan's advance. On this 
day the disposition of the two armies was, the right of the 
Union army under General Hooker was composed of Hooker's 
and Mansfield's corps; the center, Sumner's and Williams' corps, 
commanded by General Sumner, and the left, the Ninth Corps, 
under Burnside, who had been removed from the command of 
the right wing on the 15th. The Confederate left was composed 
of Jackson's and Ewell's corps under Jackson, and the right, 
General Longstreet's corps. Some desultory artillery practice 
had been indulged in during the day of the i6th inst. without 
any serious loss on either side. The day was spent by McClellan 
in looking- over the field, and another day was lost by over- 
cautiousness. 

Harper's Ferry having been surrendered on the morning of the 
15th inst., the greater part of the Confederate forces engaged 
in that movement were released and hastened to join Lee, which 
they did on the night of the 15th and morning of the i6th of 
September. As Lee had concentrated his army in the vicinity 
of Sharpsburg and occupied the elevated positions back of that 
place, he formed his line in a slightly convex formation, thus 
enabling him to move his divisions more rapidly from one point 
to another. His left was almost directly north of Sharpsburg 
■and swung around in a curve nearly to the Potomac River. 

On the afternoon of the i6th inst., Hooker's corps crossed 
the Antietam Creek and drove the Confederates from their posi- 
tion into a strip of woods in their rear. Seeing no indication of 
any intention on their part to renew the fight that night he 
bivouacked on the field. Next morning Mansfield crossed over 



/^c 



:, \ FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

and rested alxjnt a mile in the rear of Hooker. The battle opened 
early on the 17th of September, and Hooker drove the enemy 
from the strip of woods to a second Ijelt of timber. General 
H(X)ker's whole corps was now engaged, and he ordered up 
Mansfield to his support. 

Franklin's Sixth Corps having fulfilled the duty of guarding 
the right of the Union army at Crampton's Pass, started early 
. n thTTjth to take part in the battle. The leading brigade ar- 
rived on the field at 10 A. M. Couch's division had been sent to 
occupy Maryland Heights. McClellan had intended to keep the 
Sixth Corps as a reserve, on the east side of Antietam Creek, but 
HcKDker was so hard pressed that Smith's division was sent to re- 
lieve him. This was done in fine style and the fighting continued 
until after dark. 

The First Division of the Sixth Corps arrived on the field at 
1 1 o'clock and Xewton's brigade and Torbert's Jersey brigade 
were formed in two lines to assault the enemy's position in the 
woods, that had given Hooker and Sumner so much trouble. 
Hooker having been wounded, Sumner took command of the 
right wing. He, l^elieving the assault would be useless, suspended 
the order to attack with Slocum's division. He explained that 
though he l)elieved the assault would be successful, the supports 
were too nuich demoralized by fatigue, hunger and constant 
repulse to be relied upon to asist in holding the position. The 
following extract from General McClellan's report, page 61, 
Vol. IX, part I, Series I, says: "The advance of Franklin's corps 
was opjxjrtune. The attack of the enemy upon this position, but 
for the timely arrival of his corps, must have been disastrous 
had it succeeded in piercing the line between Sedgwick's and 
I'Vench's divisions. General Franklin ordered two brigades of 
General Slocum's division, General Newton's and Colonel Tor- 
Ijert's to form in column to assault the woods that had been so 
hotly contested Ix^fore by Generals Sumner and Hooker. Gen- 
eral Bartlctt's brigade was ordered to form as a reserve. At 
this time General Sumner, having command on the right, directed 
further oflfensive ojKJrations to be post^x^ned, as the repulse of 
this, the only remaining corps available for attack, would imperil 
the safety of the whole army." 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 55 

In considering- the physical condition of the Union array and 
its losses in this battle, the same reasoning applies to the army of 
the Confederacy. In both armies the men were fatigned, hungry 
and worn with incessant fighting. The losses were nearly equal, 
those of the Union army, including South Mountain and Cramp- 
ton's Pass, being something- more than 15,000 — this would m.ake 
the Union loss about seventeen per cent., while the Confederates 
having lost a little more than 13,000 would be about twenty-five 
per cent, of their total force. The battle should not have been 
allowed to close on the afternoon of the 17th. With a corps of 
fresh troops, full of ardor and eager for the fight, fifteen thou- 
sand strong : the situation such, that a determined and sustained 
assault by the Union army would have driven the Confederates 
from their position and resulted in a complete victory for the 
Union cause, the refusal of the opportunity by the general com- 
manding was most unfortunate. It was dispiriting to those who 
saw the opportunity and looked for orders to advance, impatient 
at the delay and disappointed when night closed down and the 
possibilities of the opportunity were dissipated. General Mc- 
Clellan seemed only too willing to accept without question the 
judgment of General Sumner as covering the situation and a 
complete cessation of hostilities ensued. During the night Gen- 
eral Lee made such disposition of his troops that the weak points 
were strengthened, and such fresh troops as he could spare 
from his right were sent to the left, and was ready on the morn- 
ing O'i the i8th to meet the assault he was sure would be made. 

The night of September 17th passed without incident on the 
Union side. The army though somewhat battered through the 
miserable tactics of sending in a corps at a time to fight nearly 
the whole Confederate army, was still in good condition to 
renew the battle on the i8th. General Lee had used with con- 
summate skill the small but dauntless brigades of his army, con- 
centrating at points that were threatened with disaster, and to 
take advantage of any opportunity offered to attack. This 
necessitated constant marching and counter-marching of reserve 
brigades, which, added to stress of battle, left his army in a very 
reduced condition. 



56 FIRST XEir JERSEY BRIGADE. 

'I'lic nioniingf of September iStli found the two armies in the 
same pr>sition. The day was spent by McClellan in looking over 
the field, moving- from one point to another, apparently without 
appreciation of the fact that Lee had about exhausted his strength 
fur offensive work and could only defend his position. The day 
was sjient in rescuing the wounded and l:>urying the dead. 

General Lee seeing that McClellan showed no inclination to 
renew the fight, and feeling that should it be renewed, that with 
the exhausted condition of his army, it might not result so favor- 
ably for him, withdrew his army after dusk of the i8th and 
retired across the Potomac during the night and the morning 
of the 19th. The pursuit was characteristic of McClellan's cam- 
l)aign. dilatory and overcautious, consequently without result, 
except the defeat and rout of one of his divisions sent across the 
river to halt the Confederates, without support. 

One can gather from his report that he was quite satisfied 
with the withdrawal of tlie Confederate army from Mar)dand. 
'{'he First Xew Jersey Brigade, with the rest of Slocum's division, 
remained in i)osition. supporting Sumner's corps, for the better 
pan ot two days not called upon to do any actual fighting, 
though exposed for several hours to a severe artillery fire. It 
was here that Battery A. Captain Hexamer. did some of its best 
work. The battery was ordered up to replace one whose 
ammunition was nearly exhausted and whose fire did not seem 
to have much effect upon the enemy's batteries. It came upon the 
held in fine style, as if on parade, and quickly formed battery. 
c(»mmencing firing at once. In less than half an hour it had 
silenced the enemy's batteries, and their work was greeted by 
cheers from the Jersey Brigade. 

The Sixth Corps remained in its position at Antietam until 
September 21st. when it was mo\ed to Williamsport, and on the 
23d again moved to Bakersville, Md.. where camp was laid out. 
and the corps remained until October 31st. 

/ While encamped here, the Fifteenth Xew Jersey \^olunteers, a 
three-years regiment, was added to the Brigade!' This splendid 
l)ody of meti, 047 str(^ng, was commanded by "Colonel Samuel 
Fowler, of Somcrville. X. J. A few days after, on October 8th. 
the I'wenty-third Regiment. Xew Jersey Volunteers, a nine- 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 57 

months regiment, 996 strong, commanded by Colonel John S. 
Cox, was added to the Brigade, which now assumed the propor- 
tions of a full brigade. But few of the members of these two new 
regiments had seen active service, but they were fortunate in 
being thrown in contact with regiments that had been drilled and 
disciplined as were the four regiments of the original brigade. 

Colonel Fowler, of the Fifteenth Regiment, though a man of 
fine abilities, and endowed with a stern sense of duty, was lacking 
in knowledge of military duties and experience. His Lieutenant- 
Colonel, Edward L. Campbell, formerly captain in the Third New 
Jersey, supplied the drill and discipline that Colonel Fowler could 
not, and the regiment improved in appearance and conduct. 
Colonel Fowler resigned in March, 1863, and the command of 
the regiment was given to Lieutenant-Colonel Pennington, of the 
regular army, who declined. On April ist. Lieutenant W. H. 
Penrose of the regular army was appointed colonel and from 
that time the improvement in the Fifteenth was steady. 

Colonel Cox, of the Twenty-third Regiment, finding that his 
health would not stand against the exposure incident to military 
life, resigned in November, 1862, and was succeeded by Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel H. O. Ryerson, formerly of the Second Regiment, 
New Jersey Volunteers. 

The Brigade remained at Bakersville until the 31st of October, 
when the Sixth Corps moved to Crampton's Pass. On Novem- 
ber 1st it camped about three miles from Berlin, Md., and on 
the 2d crossed the Potomac. 

McClellan had two routes open to him to follow and confront 
Lee, one on the east side of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the other 
on the west side. The President and Secretary of War believed 
the eastern route preferable because the army would be directly 
between Washington and the Confederate army and have the 
inside route to Richmond, though encumbered by immense trains. 
Should McClellan choose this route, he was promised a re- 
enforcement of thirty thousand men. McClellan preferred the 
western route because he would have railroad communication as 
far as Winchester, but the authorities could only spare twelve 
thousand re-enforcements (the other eighteen thousand to be re- 
tained to guard the Capital) should he choose the western route. 



58 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

The preponderance in numbers decided him to choose the eastern 
route. Tlie plan of campaign adopted was to march his army 
close to the foot of the mountains, seize the passes as they were 
approached and hold them for an opportunity to attack Lee in 
the rear. Should none such ofifer, then as soon as the army was 
supplied, to attack Lee at Winchester, where he confidently ex- 
pt'Ctc(l Lee would wait for him and be thoroughly whipped. In 
consummation of this plan, the different corps were pushed for- 
ward to Warrenton, Va. On November 3d the Sixth Corps 
resumed its march, arriving at New Baltimore on the 9th, having 
passed through White Plains and Rectortown, the latter place 
entirely deserted. 

On Xoveml>er loth, General McClellan rode past the different 
camps accompanied by General Burnside. He was taking a last 
look at the veterans w^ho had followed him so faithfully, for he 
had been removed by the President and ordered to report at 
Trenton, X. J. 

lie was superseded by General Ambrose E. Burnside. 
McClellan was enthusiastically cheered by the troops as he ap- 
proached the lines drawn up to receive him and his successor. 
Though McClellan has given his estimate of Burnside's ability as 
displayed at the battle of Antietam. he has left no record of his 
opinion of. him in his new role of Commander of the Army of 
the Potomac, Init doubtless he saw some grim humor in the 
situation, in which he himself was removed for being too slow, 
to be succeeded by a man who had been deprived of the command 
of the riglit wing of the army at Antietam, by himself, for the 
same cause. 

The Sixth Corps remained at New Baltimore until November 
1 6th. when the march was resumed to ^^'eaver's Mill, about 
thirteen miles. The roads were difficult, even heart-breaking. 
The fre(|uent rains had rendered them almost impassable and 
marching was painful and slow, \\hile in camp on November 
2 1 St, an interesting event occurred. Some loyal Jerseymen living 
in Califr)rnia sent a flag to the Brigade, which was brought to 
camp from Washingt<Mi by the chaplain of the Fourth Regiment, 
and presented to the Brigade with suitable ceremonies. On 
December 4th the march was resumed and the corps arrived at 



■illlillM^^^^^^^^^^ 




MAJOR-GENERAL BURNSIDE. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 59 

Stafford Court House, which place was entirely deserted by the 
inhabitants. The Fourth Regiment had been left behind to do 
picket duty. On December 9th this regiment rejoined the 
Brigade. Snow had fallen to the depth of several inches, making 
bad conditions much worse. Discomfort and privations began 
to tell on the new regiments and considerable sickness ensued. 
On December loth another pleasing incident occurred. The 
gallant Fourth Regiment was formed in line and presented with 
a new set of colors from the State of New Jersey. Colonel Hatcii 
made the presentation speech and the men saluted the flags and 
cheered. The State flag was inscribed with the legend, 

"Presented by the State of Nezv Jersey 

To her Fourth Regiment 

For Gallant Conduct at Cranipton's Pass, Maryland, 

September 14th, 1862." 



Fredericksburg, December, 1862. 

The main portion of the Army of the Potomac arrived on the 
scene of its future operations on November 19th. Whatever may 
be said of the deliberation of Burnside's movements at Antietam, 
there was now some impelling motive to remedy that defect. 
Whether the sense of increased responsibility, coupkd with a 
knowledge of what was expected of him' by the President and the 
nation, was the immediate cause, or a desire to create a strong 
contrast between the present movement under himself as com- 
pared with the former methods under McClellan, has never been 
clearly shown, but the army made the march, under the most 
harassing difiiculties, in very good time. The march from' riie 
vicinity of Warrenton to Stafford Court House was made in the 
most inclement weather, rain, snow-storms and mud, not only 
retarding the movement but adding greater discomfort to already 
uncomfortable conditions. The number of sick increased greatly 
and desertions became alarmingly frequent. 

Burnside had made a very good plan of campaign, provided 
all the details were carried out. The plan included crossing the 
Rappahannock at Skinker's Neck, or Fredericksburg, as appeared 
most feasible, and part of the detail and the most important, was 



60 FIRST XBir JERSEY BRIGADE. 

to have enougfh i)c>ntoon bridges on the spot when the arm\' 
arrived, the |)ernianent bridges over the river having been 
destroyed by the Confederates. Burnside had requested, from 
the authorities at Washington, material for six pontoon bridges 
to be sent to the nearest point to Fredericksburg, beheving that 
they and the army would arrive at about the same time. Then 
the army was to cross — if at Skinker's Neck, advance to Guiney's 
Station on the Richmond Railroad; if at Fredericksburg, to 
sieze the heights back of the town, securing the railroad com- 
munication witii Richmond — for an immediate advance on the 
Confederate Capital, and l)efore Lee C(Xild arrive with sufficient 
force to prevent. Lee would have a considerably longer march to 
the olKctive ix-)int than Burnside, who had the inside route. Gen- 
eral Lee. in his report says that he expected to confront the 
Union army on one of the Annas, but changed his route to Fred- 
ericksburg, to save as nnich of the country as possible from the 
depredations of the Northern army. The fords above Fredericks- 
burg were impassable for infantry and artillery, caused by the 
frequent and hea\y rainstorms. Only cavalry could use them, 
but without supplies, except what the troopers could carry on 
their horses. 

The i>t:>ntoons arrived im the 25th of Novem])cr. The Skinker's 
Neck route was abandoned and that through Fredericksburg de- 
cided upon as the one least expected by Lee and therefore in some 
measure a surprise. The six days delay in forwarding the pon- 
toons gave Lee ample time to bring his whole army to Fredericks- 
burg. The delay was attributed by Burnside to the indifference 
if not disobedience of General Woodbury, who had cliarge of that 
department of the Engineer corps, and he was placed in arrest. 
Ilalleck had made a promise to Burnside at their conference at 
Warrenton t<» make every effort and exhaust everv means to in- 
sure the success of his (Burnside's) plan, whatever it might be 
At that conference two plans were proposed, one by Halleck, sug- 
gested by the President, to concentrate the army at or near Cul- 
pep|K»r anil make a rapid march on Richmond by the most direct 
road, crossing the Rapidan and Rappahannock Rivers by the 
fords, which were then passable for all arms. The other plan. 
Burnside's. was to ir>nve at once on Fredericksburo- on the north 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 61 

side of the Rappahannock, crossing- on the pontoons, seize the rail- 
road and continue the advance on Richmond as soon as the armv 
could be supplied. This plan Halleck declined to sanction but said 
he would lay it before the President. He returned to Washing- 
ton at once and, after consulting- the President, telegraphed to 
Burnside on November 14th, "The President has just assented to 
your plan. He thinks it will succeed if you move rapidly, other- 
wise not." 

In his report, Halleck explains that the President assented to, 
but did not approve of Burnside's plan. That Halleck was dis- 
appointed is easily discernible, and that may have had something 
to do with the careless execution of the orders for forwarding 
the pontoons. Burnside's request for the pontoons was supple- 
mentary to McClellan's, which was sent to Washington on the 6th 
of November. Captain Spaulding% who was in command of the 
pontoons on the upper Potomac, did not receive the order until the 
1 2th of November and was not instructed tO' hurry. When he 
got to Washington he was ordered to park his trains, and thus 
several days were wasted. General AVoodbury issued orders to 
park the trains, and when Burnside learned the true state of 
affairs he blamed General Woodbury. 

There is a discrepancy between the reports of Halleck and 
Burnside, suggesting a misunderstanding between these two 
officers for which there could be no excuse. 

Burnside's report of December 17th, 1862, page 67, Vol. 21. 
Series i. Official Reports, says : "The fact that I decided to move 
from Warrenton onto this line, rather against the opinion of the 
President, Secretarv and yourself, and that you have left the 
whole arrangement on ni}- hands without giving me orders, makes 
me the more responsible." Halleck, in his report, maintains that 
Burnside's movement was in opposition to the plan agreed to by 
them, which movement was to have been by the upper fords of the 
Rappahannock (page 47, Vol. 21, Series i,- Official records). 

Lee had made the best use of the six days delay and his army 
was all in the neighborhood of Fredericksburg and busy perfect- 
ing the defenses of the heights. It now became necessary for 
Burnisde to modify his plan to meet existing conditions. To cross 
a deep and rapid river in the face of a vigilant and active foe, 
5 t^ B 



82 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

requires good generalship and confidence in one's self. That 
Burnside accomplished this is to his credit, in selecting a crossing 
where the resistance could be reduced to a minimum. Burnside's 
preparations for a new plan of campaign were completed by 
Dcceml^er loth, when orders were issued to the commanders of 
the Grand Divisions to have their troops in readiness for an im- 
mediate advance. On the night of December loth and morning 
of the nth, the bridges were thrown and only completed on the 
afternoon of the nth, considerable resistance by the Confed- 
erates l:>eing met at the town, the houses near the river affording 
protection to their sharpshooters. An hour's artillery practice 
drove them out and the pontoniers completed their work. The 
bridges for the left wing were thrown about two miles below 
Fredericksburg, near the mouth of Deep Run, with but little resist- 
ance. Sumner's Right Grand Division crossed over into the 
town. Hooker with the Centre Grand Division supporting him. 
The Left Grand Division under Franklin moved down to the 
bridges near Deep Run, and Devens' Second Brigade of New- 
ton's Third Division, Sixth Corps, crossed to the south side and 
drove the enemy's skirmishers from their positions. A part of 
Brooks' division also crossed, but was ordered back, and the Left 
Grand Division camped for the night on the north side of the 
river. At daylight, on the 12th, the Left Grand Division began to 
cross and by one o'clock it was all on the south side of the Rappa- 
hannock, debouching on a plain that extended from the river bank 
(»ne and a half miles back tc the heights and about eight or nine 
miles down the river. In the crossing the Sixth Corps, under W. 
H. F. Smith, led and was placed on the right of the line, the First 
Corps, under Reynolds, occupying the left. The height curved 
toward the town as far as the outskirts. The north bank, for a 
considerable distance above and l>elow Fredericksburg, is high, 
affording excellent positions for heavy artiller}-, which completely 
dominated the plain. The railroad to Richmond runs along the 
.southern Ix^rder of the plain but a short distance from the foot of 
the heigiits, and between the railroad and the river is the Bowling* 
Green, or River wagon-road, both nearly parallel with the river, 
At the Massaix)nax River, a tributary of the Rappahannock about 
two and a half miles IkIow Fredericksburg, the railn^ad turns 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 63 

south and crosses the Massaponax, and beyond, the heights. The 
plain is intersected by Deep Run, about half way between the 
town and the Massaponax River, a ravine with very steep sides, 
and Hazel Run, near the town. 

By the time the left wing had crossed and the different corps 
had taken the positions assigned to them, it was toe late in the 
day to begin a forward movement and attack. The troops re- 
mained in position all night. 

The plan given by Burnside contemplated a vigorous attack 
by the left wing, and as soon as Franklin had carried the heights 
in front of him and secured the position the right wing was to 
make a determined effort to carry the heights back to Fredericks- 
burg. To' insure Franklin's success he was re-enforced by 
Birney's and Sickle's divisions of Stoneman's Third Corps and 
Burns' First Division of Willcox's Ninth Corps, making the 
total strength of the Left Grand Division about 6o,ooO' men. 
The following extract from Franklin's report, page 449, Vol. 
XXI, Series i, Official Records, will give a clear idea of the 
situation : "Smith's corps had been previously ordered, in compli- 
ance with directions of the commanding general, tO' form parallel 
with the old Richmond road, with two divisions in front and one 
in reserve. Reynolds' corps was to form at nearly right angles 
to Smith's and his left on the river. Two divisions were to be 
in line of battle and one in reserve. The artillery was to be 
posted and used according to the directions of the corps com- 
manders, as the nature of the ground and positio-n of the enemy 
might determine. The dispositions indicated were made in the 
face of some slight opposition by the enemy's skirmishers and a 
spiteful, though nearly harmless, fire from his artillery, and by 
four o'clock the troops were in the positions assigned to them. 

"The ground upon which the troops were disposed is in general 
a plain. It is cultivated and much cut up by hedges and ditches. 
The old Richmond road traverses the plain from right to left, 
alx)ut one mile from the river and nearly parallel to it. This 
road is bordered on both sides by an earthen parapet and ditch, 
and is an exceedingly strong feature in the defense of the ground, 
had the enemy chosen to defend it. On the right of my position 
is Deep Run, and on the left, about one mile in front of Reynolds,- 



64 FIRST XBIV JERSEY BRIGADE. 

is Massaponax Creek. Both streams are tributaries of the Rai> 
pahannock. The plain is lx)rdered by a range of high hills in 
front which stretches from Fredericksburg to the Massaponax, 
nearly parallel to the river. In front of and nearly parallel to 
the old Richmond road, and alx)ut 5CX) or 600 yards from it. at 
the foot of the range of hills, is the railroad. The ravine, 
through which Deep Creek runs, passes through the hills near 
the center of my front. Two brigades of Smith's corps were in 
front of Deep Creek forming the extreme right. The remainder 
of Smith's troops was in rear and to the left of Deep Creek, 
Reynolds' corps being about one mile from the Massap^onax. 
The enemy had artiller}- on the hills and in the valley of Deep 
Creek, in the wood near Reynolds' right and on the Massaponax^ 
so that the whole field was surrounded by it except the right 
flank. His infantry appeared in all directions around the posi- 
tion. In front of Reynolds' right, the forest extends to the old 
Richmond road, coming nearer the river there than at any other 
]X)int in the vicinitv of my position. The railroad traverses the 
forest. 

"About 7.45 in the morning of the 13th (Saturday), Brigadier* 
General Hardie arrived from general headquarters, and informed 
me verbally of the design of the commanding general, in refer- 
ence to the attack, and that written orders would soon arrive, by 
.'.n aide-de-camp. These orders arrived soon after 8 o'clock. 
In the meantime I had informed General Reynolds that his corps 
was to make the attack indicated by General Hardie, and he 
ordered Meade's division to the point of attack, to be supported 
by Gibbon's division. .\s Smith's corps was in position when the 
order f»»r attack was recei\ed, and as a change in the line would 
have l)ccn attended with great risk at that time and would have 
caused much delay. I considered it impracticable to add his force 
to that about to make the attack. I thought also that General 
Reynolds' force of three divisions would be sufficient to carry 
out the spirit of the order, the words of it being: 'You will send 
out at once a division at least, taking care to keep it well sup- 
ix>rted and its line of retreat oi")en.' 

"At 8.30 o'clock General Meade's division moved forward 
about scx) yards, and turning to the right, pushed toward the 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 65 

wood near the Bowling Green road. It was met by a severe 
fire of artillery. The fire was answered by the artillery of 
Reynolds' corps, which in the course of two hours or more 
silenced the enemy's batteries. The wood in which the enemy's 
infantry was posted was then shelled for more than half an 
hour, and Meade's division immediately afterward moved on to 
the attack." 

The two divisions of the Third Corps and one of the Ninth 
Corps had been left at the river tO' guard the bridges. The two 
divisions of the Third Coips were sent forward with Gibbon's 
division of Reynolds' corps to support Meade. This division 
pushed on and drove the enemy from his position behind the 
earth parapet at the Bowling* Green road and other defensive 
works. The advance continued till Meade's division reached the 
ridge and over it, into a clearing beyond the road that ran behind 
the enemy's line. 

In this advance Meade's troops were obliged to push through a 
dense undergrowth and considerable timber until nearly at the 
road on the ridge. In consecjuence of this condition of the 
advance the division lost touch with its supports, and when it 
reached the open space found itself isolated. The Confederates 
determined not to have their road of communication between 
their right and left cut, threw in a heavy re-enforcement which 
compelled Meade to retire, which he did reluctantly. By the 
time the supporting divisions were near enough to help, the 
position was lost. The only compensation for this splendid 
achievement, and loss incurred, was the capture of two Con- 
federate flags and about two hundred prisoners. The division 
was followed closely by the Confederates as it retired, and soon 
struck Gibbon's division, which in turn drove them back across 
the railroad, capturing some prisoners. Gibbon now met such 
stubborn and effective resistance that he was obliged to retire. 
The situation was relieved by Birney's division, Berry's brigade 
coming into the fight on Gibbon's left and stopping the advance 
of the enemy. 

Just at this time, while Reynolds and Meade were endeavoring 
to rallv Meade's division, the rest of Birney's division came up 



6G FIRST XEir JERSEY BRIGADE. 

and cleared the field, driving the enemy through the woods into 
their sheltering earthworks. No more severe fighting took place 
on the front of the left wing. The Sixth Corps was not called 
iiix)n for any effective work. This splendid corps, the strongest 
in the army in point of numbers, lay almost inactive, while 
Meade's division, the weakest in the army, was left to do what 
Burnside had designed the whole left wing to do, and for which 
purpose he had strengthened the Left Grand Division with three 
divisions from other corps. 

The First New Jersey Brigade's part in the battle of Fred- 
ericksburg was not much more than a skirmish. The Brigade 
was on the left of the corps. General Brooks, commanding the 
First Division, was ordered to extend the skirmish line further 
to the left and sent an order to Colonel Torbert. commanding 
the Jersey Brigade, to execute the movement. Torbert sent in 
the Fourth New Jersey Regiment, under Colonel Hatch, who 
was instructed to drive the enemy's skirmishers from the rail- 
road cut, from which they had kept up a persistent and annoying 
fire. The Fourth Regiment, supported by the Fifteenth and 
part of the Twenty-third Regiments, performed the task as- 
signed to it with a dashing charge. The men were pretty well 
protected and were holding the position captured, when Brooks 
ordered the supix>rts back. The opportunity to recapture the 
cut was immediately taken advantage of, and the Fourth Regi- 
ment driven out of the cut and back to the Union lines, by 
a superior force of the enemy. This useless move was a costly 
(me for the Brigade, for it lost one of its best officers, Colonel 
Match, who was wounded in the upper part of his right thigh. 
He ilied a few days after the battle from the effects of the 
wound and amputation. 

General Brooks' report, page 526, Vol. 21, Series i, Official 
Records, a portion of which is inserted here, says : "On Saturday 
an effort was made to extend the picket line on the left of the rail- 
road. For this purpose Colonel Torbert was ordered to move 
forward the picket line, supported by one or two regiments. 
The line and its support advanced handsomely, and drove the 
enemy beyond the road. The object sought being obtained the 




.^4 5 

I. 5. 7— llcxanK'r"^ Battery. 

6, 8 — Standards of Second New Jersey Infantry 
2. 3— Standards of Fonrth New Jersey Infantry, captured with the 
regiment, Jtnie 27, 1862, Gaines Mills. 
4 — First Brigade Headquarters Flag. 



FIRST NEW JERSBY BRIGADE. 67 

supports of the picket line were ordered to return to their first 
positions. The enemy, in the meantime heavily re-enforced, ad- 
vanced toi recover the lost ground. Torbert in withdrawing his 
regiments met with severe loss." 

Colonel Torbert's report, page 527, Vol. 21, Series i, Official 
Records, gives a clearer account of the affair : 

He;adquarters First Brigade, Dec. i6th, 1862. 

Sir— I have the honor to report the following as the part taken by this 
Brigade in the battle of Fredericksburg, Va. : 

The Brigade, consisting of the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifteenth and 
Twenty-third Regiments, New Jersey Volunteers, arrived on the north bank 
of the Rappahannock River on the nth inst. and encamped for the night. 

At daylight on the 12th the Brigade started to cross the river. On reach- 
ing the south bank it was formed in two lines in rear of the division : First 
line, Fifteenth and Twenty-third Regiments, deployed ; second line, First, 
Second, Third and Fourth Regiments in line of masses one hundred yards 
in rear. About one o'clock the Brigade advanced across a beautiful plain 
to support the second line of the division, during which time the enemy 
shelled them, but without effect. They were then put in a deep ravine to 
shelter them from the enemy's fire, where they lay on their arms all night, 
one or two being wounded by shells while there. On the morning of the 
13th I relieved the pickets of the division by the Fifteenth Regiment, and 
supported them by the balance of the Brigade. 

About 3 P. M. General Brooks, commanding division, ordered me to ad- 
vance one regiment supported by another, and drive the enemy from and 
hold their position, posted in a railroad cut and behind the embankment, just 
where the railroad crossed a deep ravine, and on the extreme left of my 
picket line. At the same time two regiments of the Third Brigade we^e 
placed under my orders. I immediately ordered Colonel Hatch with the 
Fourth Regiment, N. J. Vols, (about 300 rifles), to advance and take the 
position above referred to, at the same time directing the left of my picket 
line, with its reserve under Major Brown, Fifteenth Regiment, to advance 
with them. These troops advanced in a handsome manner under a severe 
fire, and then charged the enemy's position, led by their gallant leader. Col- 
onel Hatch, driving them from it with great loss, capturing about 25 pris- 
oners of a Georgia and North Carolina Regiment. The enemy being in a 
stronger force than was supposed, I at once ordered the Twenty-third Regi- 
ment, N. 'J. Vols., under Colonel Ryerson, and the two regiments of the Third 
Brigade, to advance and support the Fourth and Fifteenth. Six companies 
of the Twenty-third were soon engaged. At this time I received orders to 
halt the balance of my supports and fall back from the railroad, and hold 
it with pickets only, if possible, for fear that a general engagement might be 
brought on. 

The enemy seeing my small force at the railroad, and that retiring, charged 
with a whole brigade to the railroad. My men fell back and the pickets held 
their original line. 



68 FIRST yUW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

On the morning of the 14th my pickets and brigade were relieved by the 
Second Brigade, when they were placed in the ravine before referred to, to 
shelter them from the enemy's fire. 

On the morning of the 15th the First Regiment, X. J. Vols., was placed 
on picket, covering the right of the division. 

About II o'clock on the night of the 15th, I received orders that the 
whole army was rccrossing the river, and that my brigade and that of 
Brigadier-General Devens would cover the crossing and be the last to pass 
over. Arriving at the river, I was ordered to send the Fourth, Fifteenth 
and Twenty-third Regiments across the river, covering the right with the 
Second and Third Regiments in two lines, deployed. In good time the First 
Regiment (which had been on picket) and all of the pickets of the Left 
Grand Division arrived and crossed the river, when the troops that had 
covered the crossing passed over. 

In this affair I regret to mention the loss of one officer and sixteen en- 
listed men killed, five officers and ninety enlisted men wounded and fifty 
enlisted' men missing in action. 

Many of the missing were wounded and taken prisoners. The brigade has 
lost one of its best and gallant officers in Colonel William B. Hatch, Fourth 
Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers, who was wounded in the right leg, having 
to have it amputated near the thigh. Captain Slater, Co. G, Fifteenth 
Regiment X. J. Vols., unfortunatel}' lost a leg also. 

I am pleased to speak in the highest terms of the conduct of the Twenty- 
third Regiment X. J. Vols., being a nine months regiment, and the first time 
tlicy were under fire. Their Colonel (Ryerson), formerly of the Second 
Regiment, New Jersey Vols., who was badly wounded at Gaines' Mill, was to 
be seen in the thickest of the fight (mounted), cheering on his men. Major 
('irubb, of the Twenty-third, lately promoted from my staflf. deserves great 
credit for the manner in which he fought a part of his regiment. 

Major Brown, of the Fifteenth, in command of the pickets (who was also 
wounded), behaved with great coolness and bravery. I am much indebted to 
my staff. First Lieutenant William E. Sturgis, Second Regiment, N. J. Vols., 
acting assistant adjutant-general; First Lieutenant J. T. Whitehead, quarter- 
master Second Regiment, N. J. Vols., acting aide-de-camp, and Second Lieu- 
tenant H. H. Goldsmith, Twenty-Third Regiment, N. J. Vols., acting aide- 
de-camp, for their bravery and coolness in transmitting my orders with 
promptness and precision to different parts of the field and in the thickest of 
the fight. 

Accompanying please find a list of the killed, wounded and missing. 
I am. very respectfully, &c., 

A. T. A. TORBERT. 
Captain U. S. A., Colonel Commaudhig Brigade. 

General Biirnside. findiiio- that Franklin's movement did not 
produce the effect anticipated, ordered Sumner with the Right 
Grand Division to attack, supported by Hooker witli the Centre 
Grand Division. The fighting was obstinate and bloody, but 
human cndiu-ance could not face such awful carnage and the 



FIRS T NE J I ' J ERSE \ ' BRIGADE. • 69 

troops were obliged to retire. Biirnside's amended plan of battle 
was evidently faulty in the extreme. The six days delay in 
getting the pontoons completely upset his original plan, and he 
seems to have lost his faculty for devising another that would 
insure success. He blamed Franklin for the failure, though 
Franklin carried out his part of the altered plan faithfully. He 
was directed to send in a division supported by another. The 
attack was delivered as ordered, but before the two divisions 
■could shake off the hornets' nest they had stirred up, Franklin 
was obliged to send in another whole division and two brigades 
of still another. By dusk the fighting ceased all along the line. 
The battle of Fredericksburg was finished. The Union army, 
though repulsed, was not defeated. The Grand Divisions re- 
mained upon the field for two days after, some portions of the 
line retaining the positions taken from the enemy. 

Sharp artillery fire and skirmishing were indulged in by both 
sides at times. Burnside was determined to renew the battle on 
the 14th, but was persuaded to abandon the attempt by his 
generals, who showed him its utter futility. Accordingly orders 
were issued to the Grand Division Generals to withdraw their 
commands after nightfall of the 15th. 

The First Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers, had been detailed 
for picket duty, the Second and Third being retained to cover 
the withdrawal. After the last brigade had crossed, the picket 
line of the Left Grand Division was withdrawn and crossed to 
the north side of the river. The Second and Third Regiments, 
New Jersey Volunteers, were then crossed over and the pon- 
toniers took up the bridges. 

The Brigade went into camp at White Oak Church, about two 
and a half miles below Falmouth, where preparations were made 
to go into winter quarters. These were interrupted by orders to 
prepare for another advance, to be made about the 20th of 
December. Rations were issued and everything was ready for 
the signal to march, when the movement was checked by order 
of the President. 

The Brigade returned to camp and settled down for the winter. 
Quiet and rest, much needed by the men, were now assured for 
several months, they thought. But after a month's stay in camp. 



70 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

orders came to pack up and prepare for another attempt to oust 
Lee. Rations were issued and everything made ready to march 
to the fords above Falmouth. The cavalry had been started and 
the pontoon trains followed them, guarded by a division. Soon 
after the start a heavy rainstorm set in and was so violent and 
prolonged that marching became impossible. The trains were 
luired and it l^ecame dangerous to attempt to move them. After 
exposure to this storm for a day and a night the army was 
returned to camp for the rest of the winter. This movement has 
gone into history as the "Mud march/' and it was most appropri- 
ately named. 

General Burnside in his report of the operations at Fredericks- 
burg claims to have made four attempts to bring success to the 
Union army, but only two can be counted as real attempts. He 
cites the plan to cross the Rappahannock at Skinker's Neck as 
one, but the only preparation for that plan was the sending of a 
small force to guard the pontoons. The pontoons were, however, 
brought to the camp near Falmouth. Skinker's Neck is fifteen 
miles l)elow Fredericksburg, and the intention to cross there was 
abandoned and the plan to cross at Fredericksburg adopted. 
This plan might have been successfullv carried out if the pontoons 
had been on the spot when Sumner's corps arrived on November 
17th, and this is the only one which can be counted as an attempt, 
and is the second one cited. His next attempt, on the 26th of 
December, was arrested by direct order from the President before 
any movement of troops was made, except the cavalry, and the 
fourth was the "Mud march." Major Williams in his book says 
that "Burnside requested the removal from command of Generals 
Franklin, Smith, Ferris and Sturgis, and charged Generals 
Brooks, Xewton. Hooker and Cochrane with insubordination. 
This request being refused by the President, he resigned the com- 
mand of the Army of the Potomac." 

Palfrey, in his ".\ntietam and Fredericksburg," says thai 
Burnside's "plan, if he had any plan," was "incoherent" and 
intimates quite broadly that he was incapable of forming a plan 
that could be successfully carried out. Burnside's order to Frank- 
lin was contradictory, and Franklin carried out the part assigned 
to him as well as anv one could under the circumstances and in 




MAJOR-GENERAL J. HOOKER. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 71 

the light of that order. Burnside's resignation was accepted by 
the President, and it may be the more readily because he had the 
amazing effrontery tO' advise the President tO' get rid oi Secretary 
Stanton and General Halleck. SumneV was relieved of his com- 
mand at his own request and Franklin was transferred to another 
command. Franklin graduated from West Point at the head 
of his class, and his particular line of service was the engineers, 
to which fact may be attributed his lack of dash and initiative 
when in command of an army. 

General Hooker was made commander of the Army of the 
Potomac on January 26th, 1863. Winter had set in and the 
troops were allowed to build winter quarters. To those who 
have not experienced camp life in the winter time, it sounds some- 
what doubtful to say that one can be comfortable under such 
conditions. But the fact remains that camp life on the Rappa- 
hannock during the winter of 1862 and 1863 was not only com- 
fortable, but enjoyable. Quarters were built of logs, about four 
feet high, seven or eight feet long, and five or six feet wide. A 
ridge-pole, supported by a stout sapling at each end, ran the 
length of the hut about three feet above the walls. Shelter tents 
stretched over the ridge-pole and fastened to the outside of the 
top layer of logs made the roof, and the same material made the 
gables and door. A wide chimneyplace built of rock, furnished 
with a chimney of barrels plastered with mud on the inside, or 
made of layers of sticks plastered with mud, altogether made 
very comfortable living quarters. 

The duties of a soldier's life in camp were resumed. Drill, 
dress parade, inspection, picket and guard duty, policing, build- 
ing roads, were the usual occupations. Amusements were en- 
couraged and chess, checkers, cards, baseball and athletic exer- 
cises helped to while away tedious hours. 

Lieutenant-Colonel William Birney succeeded the lamented 
Hatch as colonel of the Fourth Regiment, and a number of pro- 
motions were made. 

General Hooker abandoned the Grand Division formation and 
restored the old order of corps formation, as being more mobile 
and less likely to be subject to misunderstanding of orders, each 
corps commander being directly responsible to the Commander- 
in-Chief. 



72 1-IRSr Mill' JERSEY BRIGADE. 

On February 4th. 1863, General W. F. Smith was trans- 
ferred from tlie Sixth to the Ninth Corps, General John Sedg- 
wick succeeding him in the command of the Sixth. The division- 
:'nd brigade commanders of the Sixth Corps remained as before. 
Tile Army of the Potomac was now composed of the following 
corps : First, General J. F. Reynolds ; Second, General D. N. 
Couch ; Third, General Daniel E. Sickles; Fifth, General George 
G. Meade; Sixth, General John SedgAvick; Ninth. General W. F. 
Smith; Eleventh, General Franz Sigel; the Twelfth, General 
Henry W. Slocum, and the cavalry corps under General George 
Stoneman. About the middle of Februaiy, the Ninth Corps was 
transferred to Newport News, Va., leaving l)ut seven corps of 
the line in the Anny of the Potomac. 

During the winter and early spring the ranks were partly filled 
b\- the return of the- convalescents and the arrival of recruits. 
As the season advanced leaves of absence and furloughs were 
refused to officers and men. The issue of these had been 
Hooker's policy to stop desertion, which it did in a great meas- 
ure. He relied upon the esprit de corps among the men to bring 
them back, feeling secure in the belief that all they w^anted was 
a sight of home and home folk, and that satisfied, they w^ould 
return to their regiments. Accordingly, these short vacations 
were liberally distributed among the rank and file. As the spring 
opened and the trees and shrul)S showed the delicate green of 
awakened life, the roads l>ecame passable. Active operations 
were planned and preparations made for the coming campaign. 
Those in the hospital who were not fit to return to their regi- 
ments were sent to Washington or convalescent camps. Cavalry 
expeditions were sent out to find out the location and strength of 
tiie Confederate outp<:>sts. Once in a while the enemy did the 
same thing, and about the 9th or loth of February the Con- 
federate cavalry, under General Stuart, made a dash on the 
picket line at Hartwood Church, capturing about fifty of the 
Union ])ickets. 

Along in Ajjril. the l'*ourth Regiment was detached from the 
I'rigade. Three companies under Lieutenant-Colonel Ewing 
were ordered to do provost duty for the First Division, and the 
other seven companies, under Colonel Birney, were train guard at 
general headquarters. 




I'.KIi-.ADIKR-C.KXKRAL A. T. TORl'.l-.RT 
Coniniaiulin.u First \. j. I'.rii,Mde. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 73 



Third Year. 



Under Torbert. 

SAL^M HEIGHTS (SECOND FREDEJIICKSBURG) GETTYSBURG 

EAIRFIELD RAPPAHANNOCK STATION MINE RUN — RECON- 
NAISSANCE TO CULPEPPER COURT HOUSE. 

Under Penrose. 

WIEDERNESS SPOTTSYEVANIA COURT HOUSE! COED HARBOR 

SHENANDOAH VALEEY CAMPAIGN OPEQUON EISHEr'S 

HIEE CEDAR CREEK — RETURNED TO THE ARMY OF THE 

POTOMAC. 

DURING the first days of April, the President and Mrs. Lincoln 
visited the Army of the Potomac, being entertained by Gen- 
eral Hooker at his headquarters. 

On the 6th a review of the cavalry was held. Stoneman, with 
about ten thousand of his men passed before the reviewing stand, 
and a fine show they made. So many horsemen had never before 
been assembled in the United States for such a display, and the 
effect was very inspiring'. 

On the 7th, the visitors inspected some O'f the camps of nearby 
divisions being conveyed in carriages and ambulances. 

On the 8th, a review of the Second, Third. Fifth and Sixth 
Corps was held. E'arly in the day long lines of troops were 
marching from their camps to a central point near the Lacey 
house, in front of Fredericksburg. The reviewing ground was a 
plateau, slightly rolling but sufficiently level to admit of good 
marching. The reviewing stand, a knoll somewhat elevated, 
could be seen by the Confederates over .the hills of Stafford, 
which shut off their view from the rest of the Union camp. The 
regiments on reaching their designated places formed division 
front, each brigade being a unit. The line was about three miles 



74 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

long, a solid' wall of blue. After the President and General 
Hooker and staff had ridden down the front of the line and re- 
turned by the rear, they took position on the rise selected for the 
reviewing stand, which was about the centre of the line. The 
ladies who accompanied Mrs. Lincoln were grouped about her in 
carriages to the left of the stand. When all were satisfactorily 
placed, the march past began. When the signal was given the 
brigade on the extreme right marched by platoon to the front. 
and, wheeling to the left, marched down past the Persident and 
reviewing officers. As each brigade marched to the front its 
place was immediately filled by the next in line, so that one line 
was moving to the right while the other was moving to the left 
past the reviewing stand. The review seemed interminable to 
the onlookers as regiment after regiment passed, a never-ending- 
stream of men. It was a grand pageant. Seventy thousand men 
helped to make it and pyerhaps suggested to the President the idea 
which he afterward imparted to Hooker when about to leave for 
Washington, not to keep back any troops in the next battle to 
ht. fought, but to put every man in. 

Tlie great pageant was not witnessed by Union people alone, 
but was a source of speculation among the Confederates, who 
crowded the heights back of Fredericksburg, from which they 
could plainly see a part of the reviewing ground. 

As the days of April passed and the spring advanced, an air 
of expectation and unrest pervaded the army. Much conjecture 
was indulged in as to the plans and capabilitv of the commanding 
general. Xot a man of all the army doubted his ability as a 
corps leader nor his pugnacity, for he had earned the sobriquet 
of "Fighting Joe Hooker" by the eagerness with which he 
sought a fight and the stubborn character of his staying qualities 
when in one. He was a man of unusually fine appearance, 
especially on horseback, a graduate of West Point, and endowed 
with great personal magnetism. He had some previous experi- 
ence in warfare in Mexico, and the authorities in Washington 
looked upon him as an exceptionally strong man for the position 
of commander of the Army of the Potomac. The rank and file 
-admired him for his fighting qualities and were more than well 
disposed toward him for his kindlv and liberal treatment of them 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 75 

during the winter. Still there was a feeling of uncertainty as to 
his ability to formulate a plan of campaign that would be 
successful. 

In a general way his plan for the coming campaign was like 
Burnside's in that he intended to- move on the Confederate 
capital by the way of Fredericksburg and its connecting line of 
railway, making a strong demonstration against the Confederate 
right. He differed from the late commander in the use of the 
rest of the army, which was to be sent up the Rappahannock 
River with as much secrecy as possible, crossing that river and 
the Rapidan, and take Lee in reverse. 

On the 26th of April, the corps commanders w^ere ordered to 
be prepared to move at a -moment's notice. Rations and ammu- 
nition were issued to the men, and on the 27th orders were issued 
to move. General Sedgwick was directed to move with the 
First, Third and Sixth Corps to the old Franklin crossing near 
the mouth of Deep Creek, while Hooker with the Second, Fifth, 
Eleventh and Twelfth Corps executed the flank movement around 
the Confederate left. Sedgwick moved out of camp at three 
o'clock in the afternoon of the 28th. Arriving at the road that 
led down to the river, the left wing went in to bivouac behind 
the embankment, Sedgwick having been cautioned to' conceal his 
movement as much as possible. The First Regiment, New Jersey 
Volunteers, was detached and sent down the river about two 
miles to support two batteries stationed at Gray's Point. Rus- 
sell's Third Brigade of the First Division, Sixth Corps, was de- 
tailed to assist in throwing the pontoon bridges. The men of the 
left wing of the army were not allowed to^ build fires or show 
themselves lest the movement be discovered. After dark the pon- 
toons were carried by hand to the river. At dawn Russell's 
brigade crossed in the boats and drove the enemy's sharpshooters 
and skirmishers from their rifle-pits and shelters. This accom- 
plished, the rest of Brooks' division crossed and formed a line of 
skirmishers from the mouth of Deep Creek around the Bernard 
House to the bank of the river below. The two bridges were 
then built to be ready for the other two divisions of the Sixth 
Corps to cross. 



76 FIRST XEIV JERSEY BRIGADE. 

The First Corps marched a mile further down stream, and after 
considerable resistance from the enemy's skirmishers succeeded 
in throwing two bridges. General ^^'adsworth leading the troops 
in the first boat, drove the enemy from their rifle pits. His 
division having crossed, the line of skirmishers in his front joined 
that of the Sixth Corps on its left. 

General Sickles' Third Corps was stationed about midway 
between the two crossings as a reser\e and remained on tlie north 
bank. 

When General Hooker marched his other four corps by the 
right flank. Gibbon's division of Couch's Second Corps was left 
in camp, opposite Fredericksburg, as this was the only part of 
the Union winter quarters that could be seen by the Confederates. 
This division was left to convey the impression that the whole 
L'nion army was still in winter ffuarters, the men being told to 
busy themselves about their usual duties. 

An important part of Hooker's plan miscarried at the very 
outset. He had ordered General Stoneman with the cavalry 
corps to move about tlie middle of April, make his way around 
Lee's left, cut the communications between the Confederate army 
and Richmond and to destroy the stores at Guiney's Station and 
other points. A succession of storms prevented Stoneman from 
moving at the apix)inted time, and the roads were not in con- 
dition for cavalry to move until the latter part of the month. On 
account of the expiration of the term of enlistment of about forty 
regiments in the Army of the Potomac during May. General 
Hooker could not delay his movement until the cavalrv had time 
to do the work entrusted to them. 

The flank movement was conducted with masterlv skill. 
Meade's Fifth Corps marching to Kelly's Ford on the Rappa- 
hannock, thence to Fjy's Ford on the Rapidan. crossing both 
streams with the slightest delay, was a complete surprise to the 
Confederates. He then marched down the right bank of the 
river, uncovering I'nited States Ford, where the two division- 
of Couch's corps were waiting to cross. Howard's Eleventh 
and Siocum's Twelftli Corps crossed the Rappahannock River at 
Kelly's Ford and the Rapidan at Germanna Ford., on the extreme 
.right of the army. Din-ing the days of the 29th and 30th. the 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 77 

First Corps, under General Reynolds, and the Sixth Corps, under 
General Sedgwick, remained in the positions taken, two divisions 
of each corps remaining on the north bank and one division of 
each corps on the south bank. The First New Jersey Regiment, 
having been relieved from the support of the batteries at Gray's 
Point, rejoined the Brigade in time to cross with the division. 

On the 30th, General Sickles was ordered to report at general 
headcjuarters with his corps by way of United States Ford. At 
the same time one of the bridges at Reynolds' Crossing- was taken 
up and moved to Bank's Ford on the Rappahannock. On the 
evening of the 29th, the First New Jersey Brigade was detailed 
for picket duty to relieve Russell's Third Brigade. The Brigade 
remained on the picket line until the next evening, when it was 
relieved by Bartlett's Brigade, and returned to its original 
position in the second line. The Brigade remained in line near 
Deep Creek until May ist, when General Sedgwick received a 
delayed order at 5 P. M., which should have been delivered at 
II A. M., to make a demonstration in force at i P. M., and to 
have it heavy and menacing enough to create diversion from 
Hooker's front. Notwithstanding the delay of about seven 
hours in the delivery of the order. General Sedgwick at once 
ordered General Reynolds to advance and display his corps. 
General Newton, temporarily in command of the Sixth Corps, 
while Sedgwick was occupied with the direction of the two 
corps, was ordered to send a division as a support to- General 
Reynolds and to protect the bridges. General Newton sent his 
own division, with General Wheaton in command, for this pur- 
pose. When the necessary dispositions were made and General 
Reynolds was ready to make the demonstration, an order came 
from General Hooker countermanding the movement. 

On May 2d, General Reynolds was ordered by General Hooker 
to move his corps to United States Ford and to report at gen- 
eral headquarters. The First Corps re-crossed the river and 
moved away; the remaining bridge was taken up and sent to a 
point opposite Fredericksburg. At 10 A. M. the other two divi- 
sions of the Sixth Corps and Burnham's Light Brigade, attached 
tO' General Newton's division, crossed to the south side of the 
Rappahannock. The First Regiment. New Jersey Volunteers, 

6 F B 



78 FIRST XEIV JERSEY BRIGADE. 

liaving- httn detailed for picket duty, the Light Brigade was sent 
with them to extend the picket Hne further to the right. Together 
they drove the enemy's skirmish Hne back to the raih'oad. During 
the night the First New Jersey Regiment was relieved by four 
companies of the Second Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers. On 
the morning of May 3d, the Brigade was under arms at two 
o'clock. At daybreak, the Fifteenth Regiment, New Jersey Vol 
unteers was sent to the old Richmond wagon road as support to 
the pickets. On reaching the designated position Colonel Pen- 
rose found the enemy in strong force and immediately reported 
the situation to General Brooks. McCartney's and Hexamer's 
(under Lieutenant Parsons) batteries were ordered forward to 
shell the enemy, the Brigade accompanying them as support. 
The batteries opened on the Confederate line and soon forced it 
l>ack. At II A. M. an order came to move along the road to 
Fredericksburg. Column was formed and the corps pushed for- 
ward, leaving the four companies of the Second Regiment, under 
I^Iajor Close, on picket, with the Fifteenth Regiment supporting 
them. The march was rapid and the corps quickly covered the 
distance. Passing through the town, the corps pushed out upon 
the plank-road leading to Chancellorsville. 

I<"arly in the day the rifle pits at the foot of the hills and the 
breastworks on the heights back of Fredericksburg had been 
twice assaulted unsuccessfully. At about ten o'clock Newton's 
division supported by Howe's divison on the left and the Light 
Brigade in the assaulting column, succeeded in driving the enemy 
f n >m these positions, hitherto considered almost impregnable, and 
where Burnside's supreme efforts had been futile. This splendid 
achievement cost the corps 1,000 men, killed and wounded. 
Colonel Spear, leader of the left assaulting column, was killed, 
and Colonel Johns, of the right column, was severely wounded. 
>Liny other olticers were killed or wounded in this desi>erate 
enc< >unter. 

\\ hen the First New Jersey Brigade had gone alx)ut two and 
a hall miles up the plank-road, a small force of the enem\-. com- ; 
ix)sed of a company of cavalry and a section of horse artillery, 
was encountered, bkx^king the road. The remaining six com- 
l)anies of the Second Regiment, New Jersev \'olunteers, were de- 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 79 

ployed as skirmishers under their commanding- officer. Colonel 
Buck, who cleared the road. The Brigade was then formed in 
line of battle, the Twenty-third Regiment, under Colonel Grubb. 
iMi the left of the road, the First Regiment, under Colonel Col- 
lett, on the right of the road, and the Third Regiment, under 
Lieutenant-Colonel Stickney, on the right of the First Regiment. 
General Bartlett's brig-ade occupied the ground on the left of the 
First Brigade and General Newton's division was stationed to the 
right and rear of the line. Scarcely had the line been formed 
when the enemy opened fire on it with artillery, wounding Cap- 
tain Read, of the division staff. Rigby's battery took position on 
an elevated portion of the field in the rear of the line and replied 
Avith such good effect that after a few rounds the enemy retired. 
The six companies of the Second Regiment on the skirmish line, 
re-enforced by two companies of the Third Regiment, pushed 
forward, followed by the Brigade, to a thick growth of scrub 
timber in which the enemy had taken shelter. As soon as the line 
had entered the woods, a fierce and destructive musketry fire was 
opened by the enemy. The Brigade continued to^ advance, push- 
ing on through the dense undergrowth, driving the enemy until it 
reached the crest of the rise on which the timber stood. Here 
the growth was more scattered and the enemy could be seen. 
The enemy's skirmishers displayed a stubbornness in maintaining 
their position against the attacks of the Union line that indicated 
the immediate vicinity of their line of battle, and it was evident 
that they had been heavily re-enforced, outnumbering the Union 
force. The advance was checked, but the men clung to the 
position taken by them in the face of a terrific fire. In the 
advance the Twenty-third Regiment was checked by the fire 
which seemed more incessant and in greater volume than on 
either side of it, but this gallant regiment, somewhat disor- 
ganized in the advance, had halted for a few moments at the 
edge of timber to re-form. This was quickly accomplished and 
the regiment rushed forward with spirit and steadiness. They 
dro\'e the enemy some distance and uncovered Salem Church 
and a school-house near it, each of which buildings was gar- 
risoned by a company of the Ninth Alabama. A dashing charge 
drove the enemy back of the buildings, from which a very an- 



80 FIRST XEIV JERSEY BRIGADE. 

noying and destructive fire was kept up by the Alabama com- 
panies. When the Confederates in the school-house saw that the 
Union line was between them and their supports, they sur- 
rendered. Now was the time for the Union supports to go into 
the fight, but they were not sent in, and the Jersey Brigade was 
obliged to give ground, and finally retire, before the furious 
onset of the Confederates which released the captured company. 
They followed up their advantage until checked by the Union bat- 
teries. 

General C. IM. Wilcox commanded the brigade in the im- 
mediate front of the Jersey Brigade, and the following extract 
from his report, page 858, Vol. 25, Part i, Series i, is given to 
show how closely the two sides correspond in tlieir statements : 

"The enemy's artillery ceased to fire near 5 P. M. Their 
skirmishers then advanced ; a spirited fire ensued between the 
skirmishers for some fifteen or twenty minutes. Ours then 
retired, firing as they fell back. The enemy's skirmishers pur- 
sued, followed by their solid lines of infantry, and still a third 
line in the rear. On either side of the road, as they advanced 
from the toll-gate, were open fields, and the ground slightly 
ascending. These fields continued to within about two hundred 
and fifty yards of the church and then woods, thick, but of 
small growth. When the first line of the enemy reached this 
wood they made a slight halt, then, giving three cheers, they 
came with a rush, driving our skirmishers rapidly before them. 
Our men held their fire till their men came within less than 
eighty yards, and delivered a close and terrible fire uj^on them, 
killing and wounding many and causing many of them to waver 
and give way. The enemy still pressed on, surrounding the 
school-house, and captured the whole company of the Ninth 
Alabama stationed in it. and pressing hard upon the regiment in 
rear of the school-house threw it into confusion and disorder 
and forced it to give ground. The Ninth Alabama, in the rear 
of this regiment, sprung forward as one man, and, with the 
rapidity of lightning, restored the continuity of our line, break- 
ing the lines of the enemy by its deadly fire and forcing him to 
give way, and. following him so that he could not rally, re-take 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 81 

the school-house and free the captured company, and in turn 
take them captive." 

The position taken by the First New Jersey Brigade was lost 
and recovered twice, the firing" on both sides being fierce and 
continuous. During this contest, Colonel Penrose, with his regi- 
ment, the Fifteenth New Jersey Volunteers, accompanied by the 
four companies of the Second Regiment, arrived on the field, 
and was directed by General Brooks to take the right of the 
line. In marching towards the position he was met by Colonel 
Brown, in command of the First New Jersey Brigade, who 
directed him to support the Third Regiment, which was in danger 
of being driven back. Colonel Penrose deployed his regiment 
in line of battle, the movement being executed with the pre- 
cision of regulars on the drill ground, and advanced to the right 
of the Brigade. The Third Regiment had retired to the edge 
of the woods, where it re-formed and again advanced until they 
met the rebel column, also advancing. The Fifteenth Regiment 
advanced with the Third, supporting it, and both were fiercely 
engaged. The skirmishers from the Second Regiment continued 
on the skirmish line, doing fine work and showing great steadi- 
ness and courage. It very soon became evident that without 
immediate and substantial support the position could not be held. 
The men were greatly exhausted by the rapid march of the 
morning, the intense heat, the stress of battle and nervous strain, 
and were losing strength every minute by death and wounds, 
while the Confederates were gaining strength by re-enforcements 
in heavy columns. 

After the position had been taken and re-taken, the men, unable 
to endure the strain longer, gave way and the position was 
abandoned. The Brigade retired slowly through the woods and 
took position behind the batteries of Hexamer, Lieutenant Par- 
sons in command, McCartney and Rigby. When the scattered 
line reached the open space in the rear of the wood, Colonel 
Collett, of the First Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers, fell mor- 
tally wounded. At about 6 :30 P. M., Colonel Brown, command- 
ing the Brigade, was severely wounded but a few minutes after 
Colonel Collett fell, and was carried from the field. Colonel 



82 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

Penrose, of the Fif tenth Regiment, Xew Jersey Volunteers, 
assumed command of the Brigade and directed the withdrawal. 
As soon as the Union troops had retired behind the batteries, a 
galling fire of grape and canister and shrapnel shot was opened on 
the rapidly advancing enemy, who followed the Union forces 
closely. The fire from these three lotteries not only checked the 
Confederate advance, but drove back his entire line. 

The l)attlefield over which the Jersey Brigade charged was 
known as the ]\Iar\'e Place, the crest, Salem Heights. Just 
beyond the wood a small brick building, known as Salem Church, 
and a log school-house, stood, which served as a protection and 
rallying places for the Confederates. The fight for these build- 
ings was obstinate and bloody and they would have been captured 
from the enemy had the much-needed re-enforcements arrived. 
Xight falling prevented further movement and the Jersey Brigade 
bivouacked on the field, confidently expecting the fight would be 
renewed the next morning. The Brigade being reassembled. 
Colonel Buck, senior officer present, assumed command. 

When, on the morning of the 3d of May, the Sixth Corps 
advanced, Early's division of Jackson's corps and Barksdale's 
brigade were the only troops confronting it. After the Second 
and Third Divisions of the Sixth Corps had taken the rifle pits 
and stormed Marye's Heights, the Confederates were driven 
down the road leading to Richmond, part of the command being 
cut off from the main body going west on the road to Chan- 
cellorsville. A brigade of Confederate troops under General 
Wilcox has been stationed opposite Bank's Ford to guard it. 
Wilcox, as soon as he ascertained the situation, abandoned the 
Ford and moved rapidly to the assistance of General Early. 
The arrival of this brigade served to stop the retreat of the enemv 
and soon after McLaw's division, sent by General Lee to assist 
in stopping the advance of the Sixth Corps, arrived on the field 
just .as Brooks' division of the Sixth Corps made the charge. 
The day's fighting cost this (Brooks') division 1.500 men killed. 
wounded and captured. 



FIRST XEJV JERSEY BRIGADE. 83 

Report of Col. Henry W. Brown, Third New Jersey Infantry, Com- 
manding First Brigade. 

Hdors. First Brig., First Div., Sixth A. C, 

May 4th, 1863. 

Sir — I have the honor to report that in obedience to 0-^"''=: on April 28th, 
I marched the First Brigade from camp near White Oak Church to a point 
near to that which the Left Grand Division crossed the Rappahanock in De- 
cember last, and there bivouacked. 

At 5 A. M., on the 29th, crossed the river with my Brigade in pontoon 
boats, and remained on the south bank, taking my tour of picket duty without 
advancing until Sunday, May 3d, when, at daylight, I sent the Fifteenth Regi- 
ment, New Jersey Volunteers, in accordance with orders received, to take post 
at a point where the Richmond and Fredericksburg road crosses the ravine, 
and act as rear guard to the division. At 6 A. M. I was ordered to post my 
Brigade in this road, on the left of the division line, toward the burnt house, 
and we remained there under a very hot shell fire from a battery posted in 
front of my position at about 800 yards distant, and from which I lost some 
men in the Fifteenth and Twenty-third Regiments, New Jersey Volunteers. I 
had also some casualties from the fire of the enemy's pickets, to which I did 
not reply. At 11 A. M. I was ordered to move rapidly to my right along the 
road toward Fredericksburg, leaving my picket line out and one battalion (the 
Fifteenth) in support. We marched through the town and up the Plank road 
toward Chancellorsville, and halted for five minutes on the south side of the 
heights, which had been gallantly carried at the point of the bayonet by New- 
ton's division in the morning. 

We were then in the advance, and I formed my brigade : six companies of 
the Second, under Colonel Buck, as skirmishers on either side of the road ; 
the First and Third, under Colonel Collet, on the right of the road, in line of 
battle, and the Twenty-third, under Colonel Grubb, on the left, at about 200 
yards in the rear of the line of skirmishers, and so moved about half a mile, 
when we were met by a fire of shell from a battery in position on the crest 
of a hill at about 300 yards distant. Our skirmishers still advanced gallantly, 
and by their fire drove the enemy to a precipitate retreat, our batteries, which 
had now come into position, contributing to this result. Our advance con- 
tinued about one and one-half miles farther, the enemy still retreating and 
fighting, using their batteries at every advantageous point. I should here 
state that I ordered out two companies of the Third Regiment as skirmishers, 
finding that the detachment of the Second was not sufficient to cover my 
front and flanks. When we arrived at this point we found the enemy in strong 
position, and also that he had received re-enforcements. I here received 
orders to send in a regiment to clear some woods on my right flank, and, as 
the advance seemed to be checked, I went with the Third Regiment com- 
manded by Major Stickney, which I ordered on this duty. I was accom- 
panied by Captain H. P. Cook, assistant inspector-general of the Brigade; 
Lieutenant Abeel, aide-de-camp, and Adjutant Fairly, of the Third Regiment, 
whom I had attached to my staff as acting guide. 



84 FIRST NEIV JERSEY BRIGADE. 

Tlic regiment advanced gallantly, but was met by an overwhelming fire 
from the enemy, concealed in some trenches and behind a fence, to which 
it replied with vigor. The Fifteenth Regiment had now come up, and I 
directed it to advance to the support of the Third Regiment. It came into 
its position in beautiful order, and I cannot speak too highly of the manner 
in which this regiment was fought by its gallant commander, Colonel Pen- 
rose. He relieve/i. *hv 'iuird, almost worn out by its long march and fight, 
and hel'' l.'iC enemy in check, who, having had fresh troops come up, were 
i>->.paring to attack both in front and on our right flank. After a few minutes 
rest, and having reformed his regiment, slightly disordered by the march 
through the thick wood and undergrowth, in line of battle. Major Stickney 
gallantly led it (the Third) in again to the support of the Fifteenth, and so 
we held them until about 6:30 P. M., when, having been severely wounded, 
I was carried to the rear. 

The First Regiment, under Colonel Collet, moved forward into the woods 
on the left of the Third, a few minutes after its advance, and was nobly fought 
l5y its commanding officer, whose death, at the head of his command, I have 
to deplore. The Twenty-third advanced on the left of the road about the 
same time with the First, under Colonel Grubb, and, although a nine-months' 
regiment, its heavy loss shows how obstinately it was fought by its brave 
young commander. I cannot distinguish between my officers without injus- 
tice, yet my thanks are eminently due to the commanding officers of regiments, 
Colonels Collet, Buck, Penrose and Grubb, and Major Stickney, for their 
coolness and intrepidity, as also the judgment with which they fought their 
respective commands. Of the members of the staff, including Lieutenant 
(David) Fairly, of the Third Regiment, I can only say that they fully sus- 
tained their reputations won on other fields, and I am glad to say that they 
had all escaped uninjured, excepting Captain H. P. Cook, who was wounded 
severely in the neck. 

I have tlie honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

H. W. BROWN, 
Coioftcl Third Nezv Jersey Volunteer Infantry, 

Commanding Brigade. 

C.\rT. .\. K. P.\RS0NS, 

A. A. G., First Division. 

During the night of the 3d of May. Lee came over from 
Hooker's front to the force opposed to Sedgwick, bringing with 
him Anderson's division, by which move he placed the whole of 
the Confederate army, except Jackson's corps, now commanded 
by General J. E. B. Stuart, in front of tlie Sixth Corps. On the 
morning of the 4th, General . Sedgwick discovered that heavy 
re-enforcements had been .'^ent to the enemy in his front. He 
sent a despatch to General Hooker describing the situation and 
asked for re-enforcements. The courier went by way of Scott's 
Dam. n mile below Banks' Ford, where General Benham. of the 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 85 

Engineers, had thrown a pontoon bridge as soon as the Con- 
federates had abandoned their position at Banks' Ford. During 
the battle on the 2d, General Hooker had been struck and stunned 
by a piece of one of the columns of the Chancellor House, when 
it was shattered by a solid shot, and had not sufficiently recovered 
to realize the importance of immediate action. His reply to 
Sedgwick was that he could not send any re-enforcements and 
that he (Sedgwick) must get along without help. Sedgwick, 
finding himself abandoned by his chief, determined to retire, 
knowing that with the great superority in numbers of the enemy 
in his front he could not expect to hold his position with his 
depleted corps, without help. He directed General Newton to 
select and lay out a new line in his rear towards Banks' Ford. 
Lee spent the day in examining the field and making dispositions 
of his troops for the final blow by which he expected to capture 
the whole Sixth Corps or drive it across the river. Towards 
evening his dispositions seemed completed, for a demonstration 
was made against Brooks' division. The line on the Union side 
was formed by the First and Second Brigade of Brooks' division 
facing the enemy on the south. General Newton's division and 
Russell's Third Brigade of Brooks' division faced west, at right 
angles with Brooks' right, while Howe's Second Division faced 
east towards Fredericksburg, at right angle with Brooks' left, 
forming three sides of a square. The line was thin and weak 
along the whole front, which was between five and six miles long. 
At six o'clock in the evening, the Confederates advanced in line 
of battle against Brooks' front, but were easily repulsed by the 
skirmish line and a battery of artillery. A much more deter- 
mined atack was made by Early on Howe's front, the object being 
to cut off the Sixth Corps from the bridges at Banks' Ford and 
Scott's Dam. The fighting was determined and persistent on 
both sides, the Confederates driving a part of Howe's line, but 
were checked and driven back by the splendid service of the 
artillery, which was most skillful and deadly. The Confederates 
made three desperate attempts to break the line, and while 
the result was still in doubt General Sedgwick sent General 
Wheaton's brigade of General Newton's division to re-enforce 
Howe. After the enemy had been repulsed and severely pun- 



86 FIRST SEW J&RSEV BRIGADE. 

ished, tlie lines were re-established until after dark, when the 
whole line was withdrawn to the new line selected b}- General 
Xewton. 

During the night the Sixth Corps retired from this position. 
The pickets were withdrawn, General Russell himself going along 
the line cautioning each picket to use caution in retiring, to make 
no noise and rejoin his command as soon as possible. Everything 
being in readiness, the troops went quietly down to the bridges 
and crossed over. A number of batteries were posted on the 
north bank commanding the approaches to the bridge heads, but 
thev were not called upon, as the enemy made no movement to 
interfere. 

The Sixth Corps brought with it fourteen hundred prisoners, 
nine cannon and five battle flags, captured, and all its ow^n ma- 
terial, leaving nothing but two or three disabled wagons. 

Howe's division captured in the last fight one general, two 
hundred other prisoners and three battle flags. 

The loss of the corps was 41 officers killed, 49 w'ounded and 
31 missing; 444 enlisted men killed, and 2,471 wounded and 
1,454 missing. 

Killed. Wounded. Missing. Total. 

First Regiment — Officers, i 4 

Enlisted men 6 67 27 105 

Second Regiment — Officers i 4 

Enlisted men 3 32 9 49 

Third Regiment — Officers, i 3 i 

Enlisted men, 10 66 14 95 

Fifteentli Regiment — Officers, 2 2 

Enlisted men, .... 22 124 4 134 

T\vent\ -tiiird Regiment — Officers, 3 6 

Enlisted men.. . 17 54 31 108 

511 

Beside CoIducI Cullclt. of the First Regiment, Captain William 
Bergen, of the Second Regiment; Captain Archibald Taylor of 
the Third Regiment; Captain Ira J. Lindsley, of the Fifteenth 
Regiment; Lieutenant John Foster, of the Fifteenth Regiment; 
Lieutenants Charles Sibley. James S. Budd and Sidney McCart- 
ney, of the Twenty-third Regiment, were killed. 

The battle <)f Chancellorsville was ended on the evening of the 
^tl. and after waiting a whole day for Lee to atack in his new 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 87 

position, General Hooker withdrew the right wing of the army 
and crossed to the north side of the Rappahannock. 

The great campaign from which so much had been expected 
by the Administration and the General of the army, with all its 
advantages of surprise and superior numbers, had come to naught. 
The army was still strong, notwithstanding the loss of nearly 
40,000 men by expiration of term of enlistment, and was being- 
strengthened by the arrival of regiments that had been on de- 
tached service and new ones. The morale of the army was 
excellent, and General Hooker, now nearly recovered from the 
blow received at the Chancellor House, was busy preparing plans 
for a new campaign. 

His unfriendly superior, Halleck, feeling that his opposition to 
Hooker was now justified, lost no opportunity to have him re- 
moved. The fact that the army trusted him, liked him, and was 
willing to fight under him, had but little consideration. That 
General Hooker's errors w^ere the cause of his defeat was patent 
to every one. The first, the stopping the advance, and then aban- 
doning the position taken by General Sykes' division, on the first 
day of the fight, was serious enough, when by pushing forward 
the suports a very different showing could have been made the 
next day. The surprise and rout of the Eleventh Corps, due in 
a great measure to Howard's abundant confidence in his own 
judgment and ability, would not have been effected had Hooker 
insisted on his recommendations of strong picket posts, sufficiently 
far advanced to give timely warning. The disaster could have 
been remedied by ordering up Reynolds' First Corps, whose 
position would have enabled it to take Jackson's corps on the 
flank and rear. The failure to take advantage of the weakened 
condition of Lee's defensive line, stripped as it was of all but a 
very thin line composed of a few brigades, was the third fault. 
His fourth error was in not re-enforcing Sedgwick with two 
corps, which would have forced Lee tO' fight in the open country 
where Hooker's superior numbers would tell. These last two 
errors of judgment should be ascribed to the unfortunate con- 
dition the blow received at the Chancellor House placed him, both 
mentally and physically. However, to Halleck the cause was of 
no moment in the arraignment of Hooker's conduct of the cam- 



I 



88 PIRST XEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

paign. Tlie fact that he had been unsuccessful was the one dom- 
inant and unforgivable fact. 

By the 9th of May the army was back in its old encampment, 
resting and getting in shape for a renewal of the struggle. The 
rank and file had, by this time, come to the conclusion that, 
though General Hooker was an able and reliable corps leader, he 
lacked the capability to command an army. The conclusion w-as 
tempered somewhat when they learned, as they soon did, of the 
accident on the porch of the Chancellor house. Still they missed 
the dash and energy he had shown on former occasions, whatever 
the cause. They also knew that one whole corps and part of 
another had not been used at all, in fact had not fired a shot. 

The cavalry had returned to the army, General Averill's divi- 
sion coming in on the right of the army, and crossed the Rappa- 
hannock just before the rear guard of infantry. They were now 
resting and refitting for active work. In a week's time they 
started out towards Gordonsville, Culpepper and Brandy Station. 
General Hooker calculated that Lee would move towards the 
Shenandoah Valley and instructed General Pleasanton, to whom 
he had given the command of the cavalry in place of Stoneman, 
to find out what Lee was doing. Pleasanton soon discovered 
that Longstreet's corps was near the Blue Ridge Mountains and 
Ewell's corps en route for the same point, leaving Hill's corps to 
hold the heights of Fredericksburg. 

In his report, Lee says he l^elieved he could now successfully 
achieve the object for which the former invasion of Maryland 
was made, and. should he be successful, the end of the war was 
assured, as he planned to capture Washington, Baltimore and 
Philadelphia. 

II«'M'>ker, finding tiiat Hill's corps was the only Ixidy of Con- 
federate troops in his front, saw an opportunity to give a telling 
blow to the Confederates, and began preparations to attack. It 
is said he even gave expression to ideas that led his hearers to 
think he would be willing to exchange Washington for Rich- 
mond. He wrote to the President giving his plan, which was to 
cross the Rappahannock below Fredericksburg, take Hill in re- 
verse and possibly capture the whole corps without serious loss. 
The President replied that he thought the better plan would be 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. . 89 

to follow Lee up and fight whenever he found him. Halleck 
refused his sanction more emphaticall}^ and Hooker was obliged 
to forego his contemplated movement and devote his energies to 
finding out where Lee's army was and what his intentions were. 
As it was necessar)' to determine precisely what troops Lee had 
left at Fredericksburg, Hooker ordered a demonstration to be 
made at Franklin's Crossing. He knew that Longstreet, by this 
time, was in the Shenandoah Valley and that Ewell was follow- 
ing, but was unwilling to trust entirely to the information gleaned 
by the scouting parties of cavalry. Hooker ordered Sedgwick to 
move down to the crossing near Deep Run and send a division 
over to test the enemy's strength. Howe's Second Division of 
the Sixth Corps crossed the Rappahannock and moved towards 
the heights. He found the enemy in force and reported the situa- 
tion to General Sedgwick. The movement being reported to 
Lee, he halted Ewell's corps, which was on the road to Gordons- 
ville, so as to be ready to return in case an attack was made on 
the heights below Fredericksburg. Howe's division crossed over 
on June 6th and remained on the south side until the morning 
of the 8th, when the First Division, under General Wright, 
relieved him. 

On June 6th, 1863, Howe's division of the Sixth Corps crossed 
to the south side of the Rappahannock, the pontoon bridges 
having been thrown during the night with no resistance from 
the enemy. A heavy skirmish line was pushed out to feel the 
enemy, which resulted in a considerable display of force by them. 
No action took place except skirmishing and a little artillery 
practice. 

On the morning of June 7th, the First Division, Sixth Corps, 
under General Wright, relieved Howe's division, the Jersey 
Brigade in front. General H. G. Wright succeeded Genera! 
Brooks in command of the First Division, Sixth Corps, when the 
latter was given command of the Department of Pittsburg. 

The skirmishing and sharpshooting which characterized the 
crossing of Howe's Second Division, slackened considerably, but 
it was still dangerous to one's safety to show himself in the open. 
A barn on the outskirts of Fredericksburg afforded concealment 
and some protection to the Confederate sharpshooters, until the 



90 FIRST SEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

building was demolished by a battery stationed on the north bank, 
directly opposite it. The First Brigade took its share of picket 
dutv and was posted mostly in Deep Run, the men climbing up 
its steep sides till they could look over the edge, while some w^ere 
obliged to take the risk of being shot while taking their positions 
on the open plain. 

On the morning of the 8th, the Twenty-third Regiment left 
the Brigade for Trenton, X. J., to be mustered out of service, 
their nine months of service having expired. The First Division 
was relieved by Xewton's Third Division on the 9th, and recrossed 
the river, joining the Second Division. The corps remained here 
until the i^lh of June, when it marched to Potomac Creek and 
later in the day to Acquia Creek. The several corps of the Army 
of the Potomac moved by different roads towards the line of the 
Orange and Alexandria Railroad. The Sixth Corps left Acquia 
Creek on the 15th, passing through Staft'ord Court House and 
Dumfries to Fairfax Station, arriving there on the i6th. From 
there, after two days' rest the Sixth Corps marched to German- 
town on the 1 8th, and on the 20th Howe's Second Division 
marched to Bristoe's Station. On the 26th the Sixth Corps 
l>eing re-assemliled marched to Drainesville, Va., and on the 27th 
crossed the Potomac River at Edward's Ferry to Poolesville, ]\Id. 
The appearance of the countr}- was so different from the dreary 
waste of Virginia, with its fenceless fields, ruined houses and 
trampled gardens, that the men spread out everywhere, contrary 
to discijjline and strict orders. The beautiful valleys covered 
with the produce of a generous soil showed great fields of waving 
grain just ripening, orchards loaded with fruit, and the roads 
hned, in manv places, with cherry trees in full bearing. 

The farm houses well-kept and neat in appearance, the fences 
in repair and outbuildings in good condition, all made such a 
contrast with the desolate, deserted country but a few miles 
south, that the men seemed to lose all sense of discipline and 
for a few hours there were very few left in the ranks. The 
natives were most hospitable, giving biscuits, milk, honey, eggs 
and other things dear to a soldier's stomach, in many instances, 
and when a charge was made for supplies, it was so low as to 
appear ridiculous. The march was made in easy stages, the 




.MAJ()R-(;i{.\l.;k \1. MI'.ADI 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 91 

Sixth Corps moving- to Hyattstown on the 28th. The next day 
the corps marched to New Windsor, passing through New 
Market and Riegelsville. 

On the 30th, the corps marched to Manchester. From here 
the Sixth Corps started on July ist at ten o'clock in the evening 
to make a 39-mile march to Gettysburg. Though the distance 
was really somewhat short of 35 miles, the guide mistook the 
road and the corps marched two miles in the wrong- direction 
before the error was discovered. 

The retracing this distance made the march four miles longer 
than it would otherwise have been. 

\Miile at Manchester many farmers visited the camps, some 
bringing fine blooded horses which they offered for sale at low 
prices to get rid of them, deeming it safer to sell them than to 
run the risk of the rebels taking them by force. The march 
through Maryland was greatly enjoyed by the army, being in 
the nature of a picnic. Fruits O'f all kinds, fresh vegetables and 
milk in abundance took the place of the regulation fare, greatly 
to the advantage of the men. 

The head of the Sixth Corps arrived on the field of Gettys- 
burg at about 2 P. M., but it was after four o'clock before the 
First New Jersey Brigade reached the field on the 2d of July. 

On the morning of June 28th, the army was startled by the 
news that General Meade had succeeded General Hooker in com- 
mand of the army. The change was then commented upon un- 
favorably by the men as "spite work" of General Halleck, and 
no doubt there was a grain of truth in their reasoning. The ar- 
rival of the Sixth Corps relieved the Fifth Corps from the 
reserve and the latter was sent to the left of the army, where 
furious fighting was going on. Neil's brigade of the Third 
Division of the Sixth Corps was detached and sent over to the 
right to assist General Slocum in his defense of Cemetery Hill, 
which vantage point the Confederates were making desperate 
efforts to capture, and had succeeded in taking some portions 
of the line. The First and Second Divisions remained in reserve 
behind Little Round Top, the First New Jersey Brigade taking 
position on the front line on the north crest of the hill, behind 
a stone fence, the Fifteenth Regiment being thrown tO' the front 



92 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

at right angles to the line. The Second Regiment, Colonel \\'ie- 
becke. was detailed for picket duty and was kept well to the 
front until relieved by the Third Regiment on the afternoon o£ 
the 3d of July. 

The position assigned to the First New Jersey Brigade was 
not without the excitement and danger of battle, for stray bullets 
fell in quantities in the ranks and beyond, wounding several men. 
From this crest the whole valley could be seen until it bent 
towards Cemetery Hill. From here one of the finest spectacles 
of any war was witnessed by the men of the Brigade. Desultory 
fighting had been indulged in on both the right and left during 
the morning, which slackened towards mid-day. At one o'clock 
a tremendous cannonade was commenced by the Confederates, 
directed entirely on our center. They kept this up until four 
o'clock with a steadiness and persistence that was surprising. 
At four o'clock their batteries suddenly ceased. From over a 
low ridge flanked on the east side by a wheat field and a peach 
orchard, a thin line of butternut-clad men emerged, the center 
advanced and the wings trailing until the line resembled the 
segment of a circle. A hundred feet behind came another heavier 
line and behind that still another line. 

The movement was like clockwork, so steady and without 
hurry or confusion. As soon as the Confederate lines reached 
the foot of the rise, and in good distance to use schrapnel and 
grape and canister, the Union guns, one hundred in numl>er, 
opened upon the advancing column with awful effect. Great 
spaces were torn in the Confederate ranks, which were im- 
mediately filled, and the line, not even checked, came on. At 
almost every step the Union g-ims poured in schrapnel and canister 
without stopping the Confederate advance. The lines unbroken, 
battle-flags held aloft defiantly, many officers mounted, they 
came on till within charging distance, when with a rush they 
drove the Union forces a few feet back from the low stone- 
wall where the Union line stood. The rank and file had com- 
menced musketry tire as soon as the Confederates had gotten 
l.)eyond the point at which it was dangerous for the Union guns 
to Cfiiitimu' tin- r.-innonndc for fear of mowing down our own 
men. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 93 

The left of the Confederate Hne was taken in flank by some 
regiments that had been advanced beyond the line, in the morn- 
ing. The Confederates clung- desperately to the stone wall, not- 
withstanding the firing at close range. It was at this bloody 
angle that the men, having no more cartridges, clubbed their 
muskets and fought hand-to-hand. The melee was too mixed 
toi allow the use of artillery, and the fight was still going on with 
the Confederates inside the Union lines, when Stannard's Ver- 
mont brigade came down the road leading to the fray, at double- 
quick, and went into the melee with fixed bayonets. The Jersey 
men held their breath when the Vermonters charged, for they 
thought every Confederate would be killed or captured. Small 
parties of them drifted back until finally, when General Armi- 
stead, of Pickett's division, fell mortally wounded, the Con- 
federates retired slowly, sullenly, towards the peach orchard 
through which they had advanced less than two> hours before. 
As they passed over the ridge a. silence fell upon the field, heaps 
of Confederate dead and wounded were scattered over the 
ground, but no movement was made on the Union side to make 
a counter attack. After a short while small parties of men went 
over the field nearest the Union lines, bringing in the wounded. 
General Armistead's body was sent back to the Confederate lines 
with all the honors due to a military chief. 

While the skirmishing was going on about noon, many stray 
bullets dropped around the position of the First New Jersey 
Brigade. Headquarters of the Brigade was a square rock about 
thirty or forty feet back of the line where General Torbert and 
Captains Whitehead and Cook and Lieutenant Goldsmith, of his 
staff, were seated eating lunch. The men were amused tO' see 
General Torbert get up from his seat and, making a stern ges- 
ture, order the men to cease throwing pebbles at headquarters. 
A general laugh greeted the general and a high-pitched voice 
from the left informed him that "Them's rebel Ixdlets. General." 

The battle of Gettysburg was opened by the contact of Gen- 
eral John Buford's division of cavalry with General A. P. Hill's 
corps of the Confederate army, near the town on July ist, 1863. 
It was not the intention of either General Meade or General Lee 
to fight at that particular point, but the clash between the Union 
7 F B 



94 FIRST XEIV JERSEY BRIGADE. 

cavalry and Confederate infantry became so serious that it 
liastened the actual battle. Reynolds' First Corps was hurried 
up to relieve Buford, who drew off his horsemen to the right, the 
interval l:>eing filled with skirmishers from Reynolds' two di- 
visions that were with him, while his other division was hur- 
ried forward to extend the line of battle along Seminary Ridge. 
Reynolds sent to Howard, who was advancing with the Eleventh 
Corps, for re-enforcements. Before Howard could get on the 
field, General Reynolds was killed by a rebel sharpshooter. Gen- 
eral Doubleday took command of the First Corps and directed 
the movement of the troops engaged, until Howard came up, 
who then assumed command of the field. He had General 
Reynolds' First Corps and one division of the Eleventh Corps to 
confront the whole of A. P. Hill's corps. As the Confederate 
corps were always stronger in niunbers than the Union corps, 
from 50 to 100 per cent., it is easy to understand why the Union 
troops were outnumbered. Notwithstanding the superiority of 
the Confederate strength, the Union forces were making a good 
fight until the Confederates were re-enforced by Ewell's corps 
late in the afternoon. Howard fought the battle as well as he 
could under the circumstances, but was compelled to yield ground 
on account of the sui>erior strength of the Confederates and 
finally retired to Cemetery Ridge, though re-enforced by his 
nther two divisions and one division from General Dan Sickles' 
'i'hird Corps, the latter coming up at about 7 P. M. Cemetery 
Ridge is somewhat less than a mile east of Seminary Ridge. It 
])rove(l to l)e too strong a position for the rel)els the next day 
when they made numerous assaults upon it. 

.\t the same time (July 2d) General Longstreet with the right 
wing of their army was trying to turn the left of the Union line 
and capture the two hills known as Big and Little Round Top. 
Though the Union lines had been forced from their first position, 
the situation was more favorable to them on the night of July 
j<l than on the ist, the defensive line being much stronger. 
I'.y unfriendly critics the very fact that the advanced positions 
of the Union tnwps of the ist of July had been abandoned was 
construed unfavorably. The fact that the jxjsition of the Union 
line u;is miicli stronger than on the previous dav was pointedly 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 95 

demonstrated when the Confederates assauhed them, to their 
cost. 

On the afternoon of the first day, the Union army had been 
forced to retire from Seminary Ridge tO' Cemetery Ridge and 
part of the new line there had been captured by the enemy. The 
centre was driven back from the Emmittsbitrgh road nearly to 
the Taneytown road, while the left had been obliged to retire 
from the Emmittsburgh road to the sides of the Round Tops by 
Avhich move the Union line was in a much stronger position'than 
it had before occupied. The Twelfth Corps, under General 
Slocum, held the extreme right, with Culp's Hill in the centre of 
his line. Immediately on his left was the First Corps, now com- 
manded by General John Newton, formerly of the Third Division 
of the Sixth Corps, General Howard with the Eleventh Corps, 
somewhat advanced towards the town of Gettysburg joining the 
First Corps on his right, while his left was in touch with the 
Second Corps^ under the gallant Hancock. Immediately on the 
left of'the Second Corps, was stationed the Third Corps under 
General Dan Sickles, who was wounded by a solid shot crushing 
his leg, necessitating amputation. 

When General Sickles was carried off the field, General D. B. 
Birney assumed command of the Third Corps. On the left of 
the Second Corps, General Sykes with the Fifth Coi*ps held the 
line, his line of battle covering the Round Tops. The Sixth 
Corps was in reserve behind the Third and Fifth Corps. The 
reserve artillery was massed in some fields on the left of the 
Baltimore pike, behind some slight elevations, whence batteries 
were sent to different parts of the battlefield as they were needed. 
On the night of July 2d, General Meade held a council of war 
with his corps commanders to discuss the situation and decide 
whether to remain and fight where they were or withdraw to a 
more favorable position. The decision of the council was to stay 
and fight where they were. • 

On the morning of July 2d at four o'clock, the intrenchments 
on the right, which had been occupied by Ewell's corps during 
the night, were recaptured by General Geary after a desperate 
fight, during which the Confederates made several determined 
efforts to regain their position in the Union line. The battle 



96 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

raged till after eight o'clock, when the Confederates, being badly 
used up, retired. Had Ewell succeeded in capturing Gulp's Hill 
the Baltimore turnpike would have been open to the enemy, to 
the great disadvantage of the Union army. After the roar of 
battle on the right had ceased, quiet reigned over the battlefield. 
Towards noon, a movement of artiller}^ was observed on the 
enemy's line, a few batteries wheeling into the open and taking 
position. More batteries were placed until it seemed as if all 
the Confederate artillery was in line opposite the Union centre. 

General Hunt, in his article in the Century Magazine of 
January, 1887, gives the number of Confederate guns massed for 
this effort of the Confederates as 150 and the space occupied as 
two miles. While Pickett was making his great fight, great 
numbers of Confederate soldiers came into our lines as voluntary 
prisoners. Many Confederate wounded were brought through 
the line occupied by the Jersey Brigade along with wounded 
Union soldiers. The magnificent effort of the Confederates 
under Pickett being so disastrously repulsed, practically ended 
ihe battle of Gettysburg. Lee withdrew the line of his left and 
centre to the position occupied by him on the first day and 
awaited any demonstration that Meade might make, all day on 
the 4th, while his trains were being rapidly pushed toward the 
Potomac River. On the evening of the 4th of July, the news 
of the fall of Vicksburg was spread among the troops. It was 
greeted with cheers and helped greatly to hearten the men of 
the Union army. 

On the morning of the 5th of July, the Sixth Corps advanced 
in column, a heavy skirmish line preceding it. It soon became 
evident that the Confederate army had retreated during the 
night, and the pursuit at once commenced. The Jersey Brigade 
led, and after crossing the battlefield with a section of a battery, 
came to the Emmitsburgh road. Here the artillery advanced and 
threw a few sheik at a body of Confederates that were discovered 
i)n the right. The firing caused them to disappear very quickly. 
This was the last firing that was done on the battlefield of Get- 
tysburg. The Jersey Brigade being deployed in line, the pursuit 
was continued all day. Many houses and barns were passed all 
filled with Confederate wounded. As the troops left the neigh- 



FIRST NEW JERSBY BRIGADE. 97 

borhood of the battlefield, these temporary hospitals became 
fewer until the vicinity of Fairfield was reached. Here the 
Jersey Brigade overtook the Confederate rear-guard and a sharp 
fight took place, the rebels being driven into the town. 

The Brigade lost one man killed and two wounded. The loss 
of the Brigade at the battle of Gettysburg was ten wounded, 
six of the Second Regiment, one of the Third, and three of the 
Fifteenth. 

r'T'he strength of the Jersey Brigade was, First Regiment, 356; 
Second, 448; Third, 367, and the Fifteenth, 492. Total, 1,663.1! 

General Torbert's report, page 668, Series, i. Vol. 2-1 of the 
Official Reports, is as follows : 

He:adquarters First Brigade, First Division, Sixth Corps, 

Aug. 3d, 1863. 

Sir— I have the honor to report the following as the part taken by this 
Brigade (First, Second, Third and Fifteenth Regiments, New Jersey Volun- 
teers) at the battle of Gettysburg, Pa. 

On the night of July ist, about 10 o'clock, the Brigade started from near 
Manchester, Md., for Gettysburg. The distance by the route we marched was 
about 38 miles, and we made it by 4 P. M. on the 2d, only stopping an hour, 
about I P. M. on the 2d, to make coffee. We rested near the battlefield about 
two hours, when we were ordered to the left of the line, where we arrived 
about dark with only 25 men absent, and they came up in the morning. Early 
in the morning of the 3d the Brigade was detached from the corps and put 
in position in front and about the centre of the line. This position we held 
until the morning of the Sth. 

In the meantime, the Brigade was not absolutely engaged, excepting on the 
picket line, where there were eleven men wounded, and during this time the 
Brigade was under the orders of Major-General Newton, commanding the 
First Corps. 

Much credit is due to Lieut.-Col. Wiebecke, Second Regiment, N. J. Vols., 
in charge of the picket line, and also Lieut. Howard H. Goldsmith, additional 
Aide-de-Camp (his assistant), for their good management of the same on 
July 3d. 

I am, very respectfully your obedient servant, 

A. T. A. TORBERT, 

Brig.-General of Volunteers. 

Capt. Henry R. Dalton, 

A. A. G., Division Headquarters. 

This report gives eleven men wounded in the picket line. 
According to the official report only six men of the Second Regi- 
men were wounded, and this regiment and the Third being the 



98 FIRS r Xt: I V J ERSE V BRIG A DE. 

only ones of the Brigade on picket during the Ijattle.* The 
official reix)rt gives four more men wounded, but of regiments 
not on picket. These four were of the Third and Fifteenth Regi- 
ments, and they were wounded by stray bullets during the heav>' 
fighting in front of the position assigned to the First Xew Jersey 
Brigade on the morning of July 3d. 

The pursuit of Lee's army was continued all day of the 6th 
1>\- the other corps, while the Jersey Brigade remained in cam]) 
about one and a half miles from Fairfield. At six o'clock on the 
evening of the 6th of July, the Brigade resumed the march as 
rear guard of the Sixth Corps and trains, their destination being 
I'jumittsburgh, about eight miles away. After marching all 
night, with frequent halts to allow the trains to get ahead, the 
corps arrived at Emmittsburgh at daylight of the 7th. The 
march was resumed at 6 A. M. and continued until 10 P. M.. 
further progress being arrested by a violent thunderstorm near 
the vilage of Hamburg, in the mountains of the Catoctin Range. 
The men were thoroughly drenched, but few finding any shelter 
at all. and these few had only such protection from the rain as 
was afforded by their small shelter-tents. Xo supper and no 
coffee, added to wet clothing, caused great discomfort. The 
progress made on this day was fifteen miles. 

The march was resumed at daylight, crossing the Catoctin 
Mountains at Middletown, about eight miles. While crossing 
the mountains the eft'ects of the storm were plainly visible in 
shattered trees and great giiUies in the sides of the mountains 
cut by the rush of water, and roads almost impassable. The 
Brigade remained at Middletown, resting till about four o'clock 
in tlic afternoon of the 9th, when the Brigade took up the line 
of march again, reaching Boonsborough, eight miles from Mid- 
dletown. Camp was made and the men rested until the morning 
of the loth, when the route was again taken, and after marching 
three miles line of Ixittlc was formed. 

The Brigade was formed in two lines and remained in this 
position all day of the nth. On tlie morning of July 12th, the 
Brigade proceeded about six miles and again formed a line of 



* On the afternoon of the 3d July the Tliird Regiment. N. J. \*ohinteers, re- 
lieved the Second N. J. Vohmteers. 



FIRST NBJV JERSEY BRIGADE. 99 

battle two miles from Hagerstowii, on the pike that connects that 
place and Boonsborough. In the afternoon the position was 
changed to the left. Late in the afternoon the picket line was 
ordered to advance, which was done, driving in the Confederate 
pickets. The Brigade lost three officers and four enlisted men 
wounded. This position was maintained until the 14th, when 
the Brigade advanced as far as Williamsport, a distance of six 
miles. On the 15th the Brigade marched to Boonsborough, six- 
teen miles, and on the i6th tO' Berlin by the way of Middletown 
and Petersville, about twenty miles, and camped. The Jersey- 
men remained in camp on the 17th and on the i8th moved camp 
about two miles and remained there until the 19th, when they 
crossed the Potomac, with the rest of the Sixth Corps, into 
Virginia, and marched eight miles to Wheatland. 

The Pennsylvania and Maryland campaign, which began so 
pleasantly for the army and developed into the most eventful 
battle of the war, had come to an end. 

The Army of the Potomac had lost the strength of a whole 
corps of about 23,000 men, killed, wounded and missing. 

From Wheatland, Va., the Brigade marched fourteen miles 
to near Philomont, passing through Aldie, the scene of the 
cavalry fight a month before, and Purcellsville, by the Snickers- 
ville pike, on the 20th, and camped. The Brigade remained here 
until the night of the 22d of July, when at 10 P. M. camp was 
broken and the march resumed to the Little River turnpike, a 
section which was known to the men of the Brigade from their 
experiences there two years before. The distance marched was 
twelve miles and was resumed at 4 o'clock on the morning of the 
23d to White Plains, passing through Rectortown. The Brigade 
rested here for the day, and started at 6 o'clock in the evening, 
marching to near New Baltimore, reaching the camping ground 
at midnight. 

On the morning of the next day, the march was resumed for 
Warrenton, in Fauquier County, the distance being between six 
and seven miles, and camp was made on the Sulphur Springs road. 

By the first of August the Army of the Potomac had reached 
a point near the Rappahannock River and rested there in tem- 
porary encampment while Pleasanton with the cavalry corps was 



100 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

busy trying to find out the movements of the Confederate army. 
Tliere seemed little prospect of an active campaign, as the author- 
ities at Washington wthdrew a considerable number of men from 
the army for service in other fields. As brigade after brigade 
was withdrawn the chances of hunting up General Lee and his 
soldiers seemed to grow less. By the first of vSeptember not only 
the individual brigades mentioned had been taken from Meade, 
but also the Eleventh and Twelfth Corps. Pleasanton was active 
in the meantime and the sound of his guns was frequently heard. 
The days, hot and sultry, passed quietly for the Brigade of Jersey 
men, their duty being to act as provost guard in Warrenton, the 
different regiments taking turn. 

August passed slowly. During the month a number of drafted 
men were sent to the army, the Jersey Brigade receiving its 
.share. On the 13th the "Pack-up" call was sounded and the 
Brigade moved off towards the Rappahannock River. The 
cavalry, supported by the Second Corps, had driven the enemy 
across the Rapidan, and the Army of the Potomac followed, the 
Sixth Corps being stationed at the railroad bridge on the Rapi- 
dan River. The corps remained here, in the vicinity of Cul- 
])epper, until the loth of October, when the Sixth Corps was 
marched to the right of the Union line joining the Second Corps. 

The marching and counter-marching seemed both useless and 
tiresome to the men in the ranks, but with their usual good nature 
and habit of unquestioning obedience, no murmuring or other 
manifestation of impatience was apparent. It soon became evi- 
dent that a serious movement was in progress. 

By the night of the nth of October, the army had re-crossed 
to the north side of the Rappahannock River, the Third and 
Fifth Corps and Buford's and Gregg's divisions of the cavalry 
corps acting as rear griard. The Confederate cavalry followed 
closely until they forced a fight with the Union cavalry, in which 
they were worsted and driven back. On the 12th, the Sixth 
Corps re-crossed to the south side of the river with the Second 
and Fifth Corps, marching to Culpepper, where they found a 
few detachments of cavalry instead of the whole Confederate 
army. General Meade now received dispatches from General 
Gregg to the effect that General Lee was at or near Warren- 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 101 

ton. The delay in gettting the information of the advance of 
the Confederate army lost to Meade the opportunity of selecting 
a battlefield on which to resist the advance of Lee's veteran 
legions, and was primarily the cause of the retrograde move- 
ment of the Union army. 

The three corps sent back to Culpepper were hastily with- 
drawn on the night of the 13th, the Jersey Brigade with the rest 
of the Sixth Corps taking position on the Orange and Alexandria 
Railroad, between Catlett's and Bristoe Stations. 

The move to Culpepper was evidently made on a wrong 
interpretation of Lee's intentions. Late in the night orders came 
to continue the march. The corps was soon headed towards the 
battlefields of Bull Run. It did not halt there, however, but 
after marching that night and the next day the men found them- 
selves on the old intrenchments at Centreville. On the 14th of 
October the rear guard had a serious engagement with the rebels 
at Bristoe Station, the noise of which was very plainly heard 
b}' the men of the Sixth Corps. 

Awaiting the appearance and movement of the enemy the 
Brigade remained in position, ready for action at a moment's 
notice, until the 17th of October. On this day orders came from 
Army Headquarters to follow the enemy, who was evidently 
retiring. The movement was delayed by a furious storm, which 
made the fords on Bull Run impassable, and the march back 
to Culpepper was not commenced until the morning of the 19th 
of October. 

The whole army advanced as far as Gainesville, on the Warren- 
ton pike, the line extending to Bristoe Station. Dispositions were 
made here, awaiting the efforts of the cavalry to stir up the 
enemy. The Confederate army was found to be in the vicinity 
of Warrenton, but during the night of the 20th Lee moved back 
to the south side of the Rappahannock. When the army, on the 
next day, approached Warrenton, it was found deserted by the 
Confederate army. General Lee had destroyed about twenty 
miles of railroad track from Bristoe to the Rappahannock as 
he withdrew. The damage was not repaired until the 2d of 
November. The Brigade remained in the neighborhood of War- 
renton until the morning of the 7th of November. On the 



102 PIRST XE1V JERSEY BRIGADE. 

eveiiing <»f the 6th orders were received to move early the next 
morning. General Sedgwick was given command of the Fifth 
and Sixth Corps and instructed to direct his operations against 
the works at Rappahannock Station, built originally by the Union 
troops, but now improved and extended by General Lee to 
contest the crossing of the Rappahannock. 

The forward mo\ement l>egan early in the morning of the 
7th and by noon the t\\ o corps had reached a ixjint a mile and a 
half from the railroad bridge. Another column, consisting of 
the First. Second and Third Corps, under General French, had 
gone to Kelly's Ford, four miles below the Rappahannock Sta- 
tion bridge, to drive off the Confederate troops there, and cross- 
ing to go up the south side of the river to help Sedgwick. The 
efforts of the latter to make an impression on the force in the 
rifle-pits and earthworks on his front with artillery were with- 
out result, though six siege gims of large caliber had been sent to 
him. It was not until late in the afternoon that, finding the gun 
fire of no avail. Sedgwick determined to carr}- the works by 
assault. 

The Second and Third Brigades of the First Division of the 
Sixth Corps, under General David Russell, were ordered forward 
to charge the works. 

They moved forward steadily under a heavy fire and rushed 
the works, driving the enemy out and capturing the works. The 
assault was gallantly seconded by two regiments from the Fifth 
Corps. The two brigades captured 1,200 prisoners, eight battle 
flags, four gims and a large number of small arms. The First 
Brigade, l^'irst Division. Sixth Corps, the Jerseymen, was held 
in reserve and witnessed the fight, though taking but a slight 
part in it. lUillets and shells were plentiful enough, which did 
some damage in the P)rigade. When the Jerseymen marched to 
the works, they realized the obstinacy of the defense, as evidenced 
in the destruction of the gmi carriages, caissons, horses and parts 
of the intrenchments. Here the unusual sight of death caused 
by bayonet wounds was witnessed, a dozen or more Confederate 
soldiers showing Kiyonet wounds, as well as some Union dead. 

The Confederates being driven away from the crossing, the 
troops crossed over and camped. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 103 

On the 8th, the Brigade was early on the march, following up 
the retreating rebels, a heavy skirmish line thrown out. The 
progress was necessarily slow, but finally the Sixth Corps reached 
Brandy Station on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad. The 
Union lines extended from here to Kelly's Ford on the Rapidan. 
General Lee had re-crossed the Rapidan and occupied his old 
intrenchments. It became evident that he did not anticipate 
further active operations, for the scouts, and citizens of the 
neighborhood, brought in reports that the Confederate army was 
building winter quarters. 

The Union army rested until the railroad was gotten into 
running order to Brandy Station, which was accomplished by 
the 20th of November. Supplies were brought up, the cars 
running night and day. Rumors of a forward movement became 
prevalent in the camps, which caused a cessation oi hut building 
by those who had deemed the lateness of the season would pre- 
vent active operations. 

The rumors were confirmed on the 23d, when five days' rations 
were ordered to be issued. An order to move the next day was 
received by corps commanders. A violent storm prevented the 
execution oi this order until the 26th. The morning of the 
26th dawned clear and bright, a heavy frost haying fallen dur- 
ing the night. At dawn the bugles sounded the reveille and very 
soon after the "Pack-up'' call. At six o'clock the route was taken 
towards Jacob's Ford, on the Rapidan. The march was delayed 
by frequent stops to afford passage tO' the artillery and trains, 
and the Sixth Corps reached the ford after dark. The Third 
Corps, under General French, had reached the ford much earlier, 
but the crossing- had been delayed by the impossibility of crossing- 
the artillery at that point on account of the depth of the water. 

The artillery was sent down stream four miles to Germana 
Ford and the commanding officer was directed to rejoin the Third 
Corps next morning. On account of the bad road along the river, 
only one battery was able to report next morning. The Sixth 
Corps crossed, leaving Upton's brigade of the First Division on 
the north bank as rear guard, and went into camp. On the morn- 
ing of the 27th Upton's brigade crossed over and rejoined the 
corps. The forward movement was resumed, the direction being 



104 hlRST XEIV JERSEY BRIGADE. 

to Robertson's Tavern, the Third Corps leading, the Sixth Corps 
following as support, well closed up. The road on which the two 
corps advanced was a dim wood road and wound through a dense 
forest of trees and undergrowth. Progress was on this account 
very slow and the two corps had covered but two or three miles. 
The skirmishers had found the enemy and the sound of their 
firing increased so greatly by 3 o'clock that General Sedgwick 
deployed and moved forward the First and Second Divisions of 
the Sixth Corps. 

As the firing increased and became more extended he sent the 
Third Brigade, First Division, under Colonel Ellmaker, to the 
right and the Second Brigade of the First Division, under Colonel 
Upton, with the Third Brigade, Second Division, under General 
Neill, to the left to support the Third Corps line. Torbert's First 
Brigade, First Division, and the Second Brigade, Second Divi- 
sion, under Colonel Lewis A. Grant, were held in reserve. The 
Third Division of the Sixth Corps had been detached and left to 
guard the trains and bridges at Germana Ford. General French 
drove the enemy back a mile or more, the Sixth Corps not being 
called upon to take any part in the fight. The firing ceased about 
<lark and the troops camped on the field. The undergrowth and 
scrub was so dense that artillery was of no use, until the Third 
Corps had driven the rebels back to more open ground, where 
they could use their batteries, among which there were some 
heavy siege gims. The First New Jersey Brigade rested here till 
midnight, when the forward movement was again taken up and 
the Sixth Corps pressed forward, under urgent orders from Gen- 
eral Meade, to join the Seconds Corps, which it did at dawn, and 
took position on the right of Warren. 

The road by which the Third and Sixth Corps were ordered 10 
march to Robertson's Tavern, being so obscure and through a 
<lensc forest, made the marching difiicult and slow-, and to add to 
the delay a march of a couple of miles on a wrong fork of the 
road by General Prince, who had the van of the Third Corps, on 
General French's positive order, made it necessary for Prince to 
retrace his steps, consuming much time. The distance from 
Jacob's Ford to Robertson's was ojily eight miles, but the delays 
and obstacles consumed a day and a night. The Second Corps 



FIRST XBJJ' JERSEY BRIGADE. 105 

had been skirmishing with the enemy (Ewell's corps) since lo 
o'clock of the 27th, finding- considerable difficulty in matching his 
10,000 men against Ewell's 18,000. To add to the delay of the 
Third Corps the fight mentioned before consumed most of the 
afternoon of the 27th, when General French reported to General 
Meade by a dispatch, he having struck the enemy and found it 
necessary to make disposition to meet him. The Second and 
Third Division of the Third Corps only were engaged and the 
battle assumed considerable proportions. The enemy was driven 
back after making several determined assaults. The Third Corps 
reported at Robertson's on the morning of the 28th. The delay 
in concentration completely upset General Meade's plan and he 
cast about to form another that would prevent a total failure of 
the campaign. 

So far the Second and Third Corps only had been seriously 
engaged, the losses being about 1,300 men. General Warren pro- 
posed to take his corps around the Confederate right and make a 
rear attack, while the rest of the army assaulted in front and on 
the Confederate left. The movement was to be concealed from 
the enemy until the assault was made. After confirming the 
feasibility of Warren's plan by the reports of two staff officers, 
Meade consented to try it, but considered Warren's corps too 
weak to make the attempt without assistance. He ordered a 
Division of the vSixth Corps tO' go with Warren. Terry's Third 
Division was detached for the purpose and moved off wath the 
Second Corps. Newton's First Corps was held as reserve. 
French with the Third Corps was to make a demonstration in 
front, while Sedgwick with the Fifth and Sixth Corps was to 
make a determined attack on the Confederate left. 

General Meade was influenced in his decision to adopt the plan 
by the report of General Wright, First Division, Sixth Corps, 
who reported to General Meade that he had found a point on the 
left of the enemy's line where a successful assault could be made 
with inconsiderable loss. Before the dispositions for the attack 
w-ere completed General French told Meade that it would be im- 
possible for him to carry out his portion of the work on account 
of the obstacles and formidable character of the enemy's defenses. 
Meade then ordered French to merely make a display of one divi- 



106 riRST SEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

sion of his corps, and sent the other two divisions to strengthen 
Warren's column. The Fifth and Sixth Corps were moved 
secretly as possible to the right at dusk, the march continuing 
initil after dark. The Jersey Brigade was halted behind a thick 
growth of young cedar trees, where line was formed, and ad- 
vanced into the timber, the First Vermont Brigade being on the 
left. The two brigades formed the first line, the rest of the First 
Division forming the second line and reserve. Strict orders had 
been issued to observe complete silence, no loud talking being 
allowed. The men were not allowed to build fires either for cook- 
ing or warmth, and everything that might betray the presence of 
the Union forces was prohibited. The night was dark and in- 
tensely cold, causing extreme discomfort to the men, who had 
been obliged to leave knapsacks and blankets at the first position 
assigned to the corps, the men carrying only haversacks and 
drinking-cups. The night passed too slowly for the comfort of 
the men. wdio found the enforced quiet irksome, the lack of exer- 
cise to keep the blood in circulation causing great suffering to 
some. 

At about midnight. Chaplain R. B. Yard, of the First Regi- 
ment, New Jersey X^olunteers, came down the Brigade line, giving 
to each man a slip of paper and a pin and instructed each man to 
write plainly his name, regiment, company and home address on 
the slip and to pin it on the inside of his coat lapel. He had with 
him several haversacks, into which he put such valuables or 
trinkets as the men wanted sent home in case they were killed. 
This httle ceremony did not tend to raise the spirits of the men, 
iind whispered comments were interspersed with "forlorn hope," 
"tough time." and various other expressions. Word was passed 
down the line that the signal to advance would be given at 9 
o'clock in the morning, the artillery to commence firing at 8 
o'clock. The signal was to be six guns fired in rapid succession 
and at once the first line was to advance to the attack. Many 
of the men had nothing to eat since midday of the dav l>efore 
and no coffee at all. Rations were becoming scarce and hunger 
was added to the discomfort of cold. As dawn approached a 
lessening of the cold gave some relief, and Avhen the sun rose a 
nun-niur of satisfaction could l)c heard down the line. The rank 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 107 

and file now realized that serious work was ahead of them, and 
awaited the signal tO' advance with considerable apprehension. 
A few minutes before 8 o'clock, the chaplain of the First Regi- 
ment came to the Brigade with a number of canteens slung from 
his shoulders, some filled with whiskey and the others with water, 
with which to succor the wounded. 

At 8 o'clock sharp the artillery along the front and centre of 
the Union line opened briskly. The firing was kept up for half 
an hour, when it slackened and almost ceased. When the noise 
of the firing stopped the sound of battle ofif to the left could be 
heard, but soon that ceased. At 9 o'clock the lines were straight- 
ened and the roll called, the men standing in place rest. The 
hour for the signal came and passed and no signal was given. 
The m'en waited with strained attention for some w^ord or sound 
that w^ould relieve the tension. In a little while word was passed 
down the line that the attack had been postponed. The relief 
was welcome — some of the men lay down in ranks and fell asleep 
at once, nothwithstanding the cold, while others hunted among 
their comrades for a cracker or something to satisfy hunger. 
Some of the curious ones of the Jersey Brigade went tO' the 
front to- view the field they were expected to fight over. The 
revelation was startling and the conviction was borne in upon 
them that the assault would have meant the destruction of the 
Jersey Brigade. Immediately in front of the cedar grove there 
was a snake fence, five feet high, extending along the whole 
front. On the far side of the fence there had been another 
cedar forest, but the trees had been cut off breast-high, the trunks 
strewn in every direction, making an almost impassable barrier. 
Beyond the cut cedars was Mine Run, a stream twelve or fifteen 
feet wide and about three feet deep. The intense cold of the 
night had formed ice an inch thick over the stream. Beyond 
Mine Run an open meadow, half a mile wide, stretched back to 
a range of hills. At the foot of the hills a line of breastworks, 
and about half way up the ascent another line, made the position 
almost impregnable, while the summit was fairly crowded with 
artillery and infantry. The whole of the Confederate front was 
so commanded by the artillery and the two lines of breastworks 
that the signal to charge them would have been the signal for the 



108 FIRST SEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

destruction of the two brigades. The enemy's artillery would 
ha\e opened on them as soon as they em'erged from the cedar 
thicket and disclosed themselves. The tearing down the fence, 
the struggling through the felled cedars, the dash through the 
ice-cold water of Mine Run by men who had neither food nor 
sleep for twenty hours, with the rebel guns playing on them, 
would have left but few to make the charge across the half-mile 
of flat meadow, which would have been swept by the infantry in 
the two lines of breastworks. Even if the few left could have 
reached the breastworks, there would not have been force enough 
to take them. It was a fortunate thing for the First New Jersey 
and First Vermont Brigades that General A\^arren reported to- 
General Meade that he could not carry out his part of the plan 
without a terrible sacrifice of life in time for General Meade to 
suspend the movement on the right. 

General Wright's estimate of the feasibility of the plan at thi? 
point was evidently greatly exaggerated and the cost minimized. 
It was with great relief that the men of the Sixth Corps took up 
the line of march back to their first position. When the corps 
arrived here some relief from the excessive hunger of the men 
was obtained, for many of them carried part of their rations of 
crackers in their knapsacks and these provident ones distributed 
what they could spare among those who had none. It was found 
that several of the pickets in different parts of the line had been 
frozen to death. 

On December ist. the First Brigade, Xcw Jersey \'olunteers, 
was moved back and the march towards the Rapidan was begun. 
The army crossed to the north bank of the Rapidan during the 
night and on the morning of the 2d all of the Union army that 
Lee could find were a few stragglers. 

The Mine Run campaign w^as finished and a failure. The army 
returned to its old camping ground, instead of marching to Fred- 
ericksburg, as had l^een the plan General Meade ardently wished 
to carry out. This was vetoed l\v General Halleck. who still 
seemed to think he had all the brains and military genius of the 
Union cause centered in himself. General A. A. Plumphrcys, in 
his "Gettysburg to the Rapidan." gives a very short but terse 
account of this episode. In this short campaign the Union army 
lost about two thousand men. killed, wounded and missing. 



FIRSX NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 109 

The Sixth Corps was stationed at Wellsford, four miles from- 
Brandy Station, near the Hazel River, and winter quarters were 
built. The section occupied by the Army of the Potomac was a 
rolling country and the camps of the different corps could be seen 
quite plainly from any of the high points. At nig-ht long- rows 
of lights indicated the camping places of different organizations. 
The roofs of the huts being of canvas showed the light of the 
candles and hearth fires. Relatives and friends of the soldiers 
were allowed to visit them in camp and the army settled down 
to the usual winter duties. 

While in camp here the Brigade lost one of its most useful and 
beloved officers in Chaplain Yard, of the First New Jersev Vol- 
unteers, who' resigned and left the front. Before his departure 
the regiment was paraded, and formed in a hollow square. 
Chaplain Yard came to- the centre with Lieutenant-Colonel Henry 
and made an address to the men, bidding them good-bye. Colonel 
Henry, on behalf of the officers of the regiment, presented him 
with a gold watch. A sense of personal loss was felt by all, for 
the chaplain had been close tO' them, not onlv in quarters but on 
the battlefield, exposing himself with quiet unconcern of the 
danger, whenever there was need of his services. It was said by 
those who were intimate with him that he left the army disap- 
pointed and grieved because President Lincoln had refused to 
commute the death sentence of a deserter from^ the regiment. 
The chaplain had secured the commutation of sentences in the 
cases of five others who' were to pay the death penalty from 
different regiments. This was the first time that the President 
bad refused to interfere and the chaplain took it greatly to heart, 
as the doomed man was the only one of the Brigade who had 
ever been shot as a deserter. 

Chaplain Yard was succeeded by the Rev. W. H. McCormick. 
who had until quite recently served with the artillery. 

On February 27th, the Sixth Corps was ordered to march to 
Madison Courthouse on a reconnaissance, the men supposed, but 
really it was a demonstration to keep the Confederate army where 
they were while General Kilpatrick with a division of cavalry 
made a dash on Richmond to release the Union prisoners of war 
there and at Belle Isle and escort them to the Union lines. On 
8 F B 



110 FIRST XEJV J ERSE y BRIGADE. 

the morning of the 5th day after marching- out the corps returned 
to its camp, having fully performed the duty assigned to it. 

For two months more the First New Jersey Brigade rested in 
camp near Brandy Station. Promotions were made among the 
officers, and additions to the regiments partly filled the ranks. 
The Tenth New Jersey Volunteers, Colonel Ryerson, was here 
added to the Brigade, having about eight hundred men in the 
ranks, and made a decided improvement in the appearance of the 
Brigade when on dress parade, which was one of Torbert's favor- 
ite functions. The regiments formed division front with intervals 
of twenty feet, the colors in the centre of the front division, the 
drum corps massed for the "beat off," the Brigade band accom- 
panving them, the reports of the adjutants of regiments, the salute 
of the held and staff officers mounted, made a very interesting 
spectacle. Toward the latter part of April, when active prepara- 
tions were making for the coming campaign, the Brigade lost its 
General, A. T. A, Torbert, who, being a cavalryman, had been 
promoted to command a division of the cavalry corps. 

"Wilderness Campaign. " 

In February, 1864, Congress revived the rank of Lieutenant- 
General, the recipient to command all the armies of the United 
States. The confidence of the authorities of Washington, backed 
by the public sentiment, pointed to General Grant as the logical 
selection. He had been so uniformly successful in his operations 
in the West that he had won the admiration and confidence of the 
people. He was called from the West, and on the 9th of April, 
President Lincoln, in the presence of the Cabinet, gave him the 
commission of Lieutenant-General. 

The next day General Grant visited the Army of the Potomac 
to confer with General Meade and to see the troops. General 
Meade tendered his resignation as commander of the Army of 
the Potomac to give General Grant the opportunity of choosing 
one of his western friends for the position. General Grant 
refused to accept it, however, and showed his conlidence in 
General Meade by keeping entirely aloof from anv of Meade's 
plans and arrangements. 




GENERAL U. S. GRANT. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. Ill 

A consolidation of the different corps by General Meade, on 
.account of the depleted condition of brigades and divisions, re- 
duced the number of corps from five to three, the Second, Fifth 
and Sixth. The First Corps was incorporated with the Second 
Corps and the Third Corps with the Fifth and Sixth. The men 
of these two corps kept their brigade formations and corps 
badges. 

During the month of April such bodies of troops as were taken 
from the Army of the Potomac in the fall of 1863, to serve else- 
where, Avere returned, among them Wheaton's Brigade of the 
Sixth Corps, which had been doing duty at Harper's Ferry. 

The Sixth Corps, now reorganized, was composed of three 
divisions, two of which had four brigades each, the Third 
Division having only two brigades. .This division had been part 
of the Third Corps and was incorporated in the Sixth Corps in 
]\'Iarch. 

In June, 1863, an order was issued by the War Department 
■offering inducements to re-enlist to the men of those regiments 
whose terms of service would expire in the summer of 1864. 
The terms were one hundred dollars bounty, thirty days fur- 
lough and the chances of advancement. The order was discussed 
by the rank and file of the Brigade during the summer and fall, 
and resulted in several hundreds accepting the terms, the 
Fourth Regiment re-enlisting in a body and retaining its organ- 
ization. In December the re-enlisted men, except the Fourth 
Regiment, left the front, returning to their homes to enjoy the 
month's vacation. The Fourth Regiment left the front for home 
on January ist, 1864. While the men were away, the Brigade 
supplied its details for picket and guard duty, the men coming 
chiefly from the Tenth and Fifteenth Regiments. 

A proclamation by President Lincoln in April, 1864, offering 
amnesty to those who had left the front without leave, brought 
back to the Brigade a few men who took advantage of the Presi- 
dent's clemency. 

On April 20th/ General Burnside was ordered to join the 
Army of the Potomac, the Ninth Corps having been brought 
back from Knoxville, Tennessee, in March, arriving at Annap- 
olis on the fourteenth of that month. In addition to the Ninth 



112 FIRST KEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

Corps. General Grant brought to the .\rmy of the Potomac thirty 
thousand heavy artillerymen from the defenses of Washington, 
greatly to the consternation and disapproval of Secretary Stanton. 

His expostulations producing no effect on General Grant, who 
asserted his authority as the commanding officer of all the troops 
of the United States, the War Secretary laid the matter before 
the President. Mr. Lincoln did not say that he approved General 
Grant's action, but reminded the Secretary that Congress had 
made General Grant General-in-Chief of all the armies of the 
United States and that he had the authority vested in himself to 
do as he pleased about the matter. Stanton could say and do 
nothing more, and perforce acquiesced. General Grant took 
(Occasion to assure the President and the Secretary that when the 
armv moved on the Confederate lines. General Lee would have 
too much else to think about to give any time or thought to plans- 
for moving north. 

The Sixth Corps was now commanded by General John Sedg- 
wick, often called "Old Reliable," the First Division by General 
H. G. Wright, the Second Division b\' General George W. Getty^ 
antl the Third Division by General Janies B. Ricketts. 

The exacting inspections, issuing of supplies to the rank and 
file and review of the troops gave assurance of the nearness of 
the expected campaign. On the 3d of Mav orders were issued 
to the corps commanders to break up camp at midnight and to 
have troops ready to move before dawn of the 4th. Long- before 
daylight the bugles sounded the reveille and soon after the call 
to pack up was blown. Tn a few minutes thousands of small hres 
were aglow, the fuel made up of the bedding and discarded 
accumulations of winter quarters. By the light of their hres 
knapsacks were packed, overcoats and blankets rolled and coffee 
made. The morning dawned bright and clear and at 5 o'clock 
the men of the First New Jersey Brigade were standing in line, 
roll had l>ecn called and they were all ready for the march. The 
forward movement was delayed until late in the morning, the 
Sixth Corps Infing obliged to follow the Fifth. About 9 o'clock 
the troops began to move out. forming column on a road that led 
to Germana Ford on the Rapidan. The march was delayed by 
frequent halts, making it tedious and slow, so that the Sixth 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 113 

Corps arrived at Germana Ford late in the afternoon, crossing 
on the pontoon bridges. It was getting well on towards dusk 
before the Jerseymen arrived at the halting place for the night. 
The Third Division of the Sixth Corps remained at Germana 
Ford to guard the bridge. As the troops filed past a small house 
near the ford, General Grant appeared on the porch, or gallery, 
as it is called in the south, and watched the men as they marched 
by. The Jersey Brigade camped about a mile from the ford along 
the side of the road. Little sleep visited the men, who sat around 
their small camp-fires in groups, talking in low tones, smoking, 
some writing letters by the lights of the camp-fires, and many 
repacking their knapsacks. The next morning a collection of 
rejected luxuries and even comforts were scattered over the camp 
ground that would have filled two or three wagons. Every con- 
ceivable thing used by soldiers was tO' be found there. Cards, 
books, papers, razors, looking-glasses, folding-stoves, underwear, 
partly-worn clothing, shoes, stockings and a hundred other ar- 
ticles were strewn around. The men were reluctant to sacrifice 
their treasures, but one day's march satisfied them. Breakfast 
was hurried, for the roar of musketry in front told the men that 
the campaign was opened and that they would be called upon to 
do their share. 

The Second Division of the Sixth Corps being in front was 
detached, except Neill's brigade, and sent forward to occupy and 
hold the crossing of the Brock and Germana roads. The firing 
in front became heavier, but receded, indicating that General 
Warren with the Fifth Corps, who preceded the Sixth on the 
march, had struck the Confederate line. He drove them back 
about a mile, but Ewell, who commanded the Confederate troops 
at that point, being re-enforced, in turn drove Warren back to his 
first position near the old Wilderness Tavern. The First Divi- 
sion of the Sixth Corps with Neill's brigade of the Second Divi- 
sion were moved along the road about a mile and a half, formed 
in line of battle facing to the right, and moved towards the sound 
of musketry, which seemed very close. The Third Division of 
the Sixth Corps was still at Germana Ford awaiting the arrival 
of the Ninth Corps. The Jersey Brigade was soon engaged, after 



114 FIRST XEVV JERSEY BRIGADE. 

passing some of the wounded of the Fifth Corps, who were pain- 
fully making- their way back to the hospital. The order to move 
fonvard as quickly as possible was passed down the line. A 
charge could not have been made, as the undergrowth was so 
dense and the trees so close together that it was impossible to 
keep formation. The regiments of the Brigade had difficulty in 
keeping in touch with each other and the Fourth Regiment was 
entirely separated from it. The line moved forward quite steadily 
for several hundred yards undisturbed when the enemy's sharp- 
shooters commenced their murderous work. The first man to fall 
in the Brigade was Color Sergeant Phillips, who carried the 
National colors of the First New Jersey Regiment. He was shot 
through the heart, and as he fell. Color Sergeant Peter Brobson, 
of Companv A, First Regiment, caught the flag before it fell and 
advanced with the State colors beside him to a position about one 
hundred yards in front of where Sergeant Phillips fell. Here the 
line was halted to re-form and straighten. Hardly had the ad- 
vance ceased when Sergeant Brobson was killed in the same man- 
ner as Phillips. The colors were caught and carried by Color 
Sergeant C. A. Pettie. As soon as the line had been re-formed 
the men were ordered to lie down, to protect them as much as 
possible from the enemy's sharpshooters, who were verv active 
and had very quickly made an impression on the lines. 

The corps was to have taken position on the right of the Fifth 
Corps, but the density of the undergrowth prevented any man- 
euvering at all, and it was with great difficulty that the men 
advanced in line of battle. Finally the right of the Fifth Corps 
was found, and General Sedgwick formed line so as to be in 
touch with General Warren. Some firing was done by the Bri- 
gade, but as no enemy could be seen it died down to now and 
then a shot, as the men fancied they saw moving objects or caught 
sight of sharpshooters. The line was advanced several times dur- 
ing the day to not only keep the lines intact, but to take advantage 
of the enemy retiring, to secure the abandoned positions. It was 
only after advancing several hundred paces that dead Con- 
federates were found, indicating where their line had been^ 

During the day the enemy managed, in spite of the density 
of the forest, to get the range of the Brigade with artillery, and 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 115 

their shells came over thick and fast. A number of officers were 
killed and wounded on the 5th, Lieutenants Carley Swan, Sea- 
graves and Moffett of the First Regiment, Captain Hamilton of 
the Fifteenth, Captains Callan and Bogert of. the Second, Colonel 
Ryerson and Captain Thackeray of the Tenth, killed. A shell 
bursting in a group of officers of the First Regiment killed Lieu- 
tenant Moffett and wounded- Captain Tantum, Company B, Lieu- 
tenant Hullfish, Company B. Captain H. C. Warner, Company 
A, was wounded in the right arm within five minutes after the 
advance commenced and Lieutenant H. M. Oilman, Company G, 
very soon after. In the afternoon the First Jersey Brigade was 
relieved by the Second Brigade, First Division, taking the first 
line, the Jersey Brigade retiring about thirty paces. 

The day wore away and as evening approached the Brigade 
found ammunition running very low. Orders from Colonel 
Brown, commanding the Brigade, to- be saving of their cartridges 
gave the men some uneasiness, as they immediately concluded 
that reserve ammunition was not at hand. About 5 o'clock a 
charge was made by the enemy, not long- after the First New 
Jersey Brigade had been relieved. The Confederates came on 
with great dash and spirit, charging right up tOi the low breast- 
works that the Jerseymen had thrown up, and which were on— 
fire in several places. The first line stood their ground finnly 
and poured a hot fire intoi the rebel ranks, causing great con- 
fusion and disabling many of them. Still they hung on to the 
position, and fought with determination to drive the Union men 
away. The deadly fight lasted twenty minutes or more, when 
the enemy, seeing so' many of their men killed and wounded, 
gave way and retired, disappearing in the thicket of under- 
growth. The Jerseymen stood in line ready to make a rush for- 
ward as soon as called upon. The Brigade had lost heavily in 
the day's fighting and the men were both tired and hungry when 
relieved, and took position in the second line. As dusk deepened, 
they expected another attack by the enemy, as that was their 
favorite time for a demonstration, but the disastrous charge on 
our front in the afternoon seemed to have satisfied them. The 
undergrowth was so dense that a large percentage of wounds 



116 FIRST SEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

was either in the head or arms, the latter being- struck when the 
arms were raised to ram liome the cartridges. 'I'he timber at 
this part of the battlefiehl was mixed, oak, pine and dog-wood, 
the latter l>eing profusely scattered through the forest and white 
with flowers. 

At night it seems as if everv- twig held a whip-poor-will, and 
as if each one vied with all the rest in the rapidity of the peculiar 
call. At three o'clock in the morning, while the men were 
asleep lying in line on their arms, something caused a part of the 
line to rise up as one man and rush for the rear. They went ten 
or fifteen steps and then stopped. They returned immediately to 
the line and lav down again. No one could explain what caused 
the stampede, hut it was noticed that every man had his rifle, 
while he left his overcoat, blanket and knapsack behind. At 
dawn the men of the Brigade got breakfast as best they could, 
and were ready for the day's work. Such of the wounded as 
could be reached readil}- were brought in behind the line, fire 
having broken out in front of the breastworks some distance 
out. among the dead leaves and sticks with which the forest was 
strewn. 

May 6th dawned clear and warm, the thick forest preventing 
any breeze from stirring the air. Firing commenced almost as 
.-oon as the men could see to aim, but soon stopped, for it was 
impossible to see any of the enemy. Quite early in the morning 
several mules, with ammunition packed on their backs, passed 
down the line, the boxes taken off and opened. The men were 
directed to re-fill their cartridge boxes and they put fifty rounds 
in their knapsacks, as the>- had when the campaign commenced. 
In the early afternoon of the 6th, the Third Division joined 
the corps from Germana Ford, Burnside having arrived and 
relieved them. The Second Brigade of this division with Shaler's 
Fourth Brigade of the First Division were sent to the right of 
the Jerse}- Brigade, as a movement by the enemy to our right 
had l)een iletectetl. Xo important event occurred .during the day, 
the principal fighting being m the skirmish line, and by the sharp- 
shooters, who were very persistent, and a wounded or killed 
Union soldier everv little while attested the accuracv of their 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 117 

aim. ]^Iany more officers of the Brigade had been wounded dur- 
ing the day. Major Way, Captain Roberts, of Company G; 
Captain Holt, of Company E; Captain Blythe, of Company F, 
and Lieutenant Cunningham, of Company C, of the First Regi- 
ment, among them. 

About six o'cl()ck the pickets and skirmishers in front of the 
Jersey Brigade came in with the news that the enemy were 
advancing in force. The Brigade were ready to repel the charge 
and were looking ahead to fire at the first enemy to come in 
sight, when a tremendous discharge of musketry on the right of 
the Brigade drew their attention. The wierd rebel yell accom- 
panied the discharge and the men of the First Brigade saw a 
Aast crowd of Confederates pouring over the half-built breast- 
works in front of Seymour's brigade, on which they were at 
work when the enemy charged. It was said afterward that the 
pickets were but a few yards in front of their line and that the 
Brigade had stacked arms and doffed accouterments to be able 
to work more effectively on the intrenchments. A wild scramble 
for the rear ensued, and the rebels, pursuing, kept up a fierce fire 
■upon the retreating troops. Shaler's brigade was struck by the 
flanking force of Gordon's Confederate brigade and doubled up 
on the mass of disorganized regiments of Seymour's brigade. 
The right of the Jersey Brigade was broken and foi'ced back 
by the stampede and the men backed off towards the left and 
rear so' as to present as decent a front to the enemy as possible. 

This line stopped the further advance of Gordon's men, who 
probabl}' thought they had done enough in capturing two^ Union 
generals and about six hundred men from Seymour's, Shaler's 
and the First Jersey Brigades. Generals Seymour and Shaler 
were the generals captured. 

The First New Jersey Regiment lost Adjutant I. L. F. Elkins, 
Captain Parker; Lieutenants Ferguson and Ramsey and about 
forty men taken prisoners, and Major Vickers, of the Fourth 
Regiment. General Shaler in his report says that the line of 
his Brigade was "attenuated" to such a degree that it was a 
mere skirmish line, and that the position was so exposed that 
building protective works was out of the question on account 



I 



118 FIRST SEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

of the proximity of the enemy, whose sharpshooters were doing- 
deadly work, making it necessary for the men to lie down. At 
about midnight the lines were re-established and the men of the 
Brigade got such food as they could and rested until dawn. 

At daylight of the 7th, the First Division of the Sixth Corps 
was moved to the right and soon came upon the battlefield. On 
the 5th and 6th of May, in many places the leaves and dry brush 
had caught fire and were burning steadily towards the Union 
lines. Some of the wounded of both sides were burned to death. 
The First Regiment had been on picket during the afternoon of 
ihe 7th of May, and were relieved after dark. No active opera- 
tions took place in the Brigade front. Some time before mid- 
night the Brigade was moved to the Germana plank-road, and 
orders given to march towardsl Spottsylvania Court House. 
The night was very dark and warm and the men. tired out with 
little sleep and food and much hard work, staggered along the 
road, some falling asleep while marching, awakened only by the 
shock of their fall. The loss sustained by the Brigade in the 
Wilderness battles was very heavy, the First Regiment sustain- 
ing nearly one-half. 

Captured or 
Killed. Wounded. Missing. 

Rr^imcnl. Officers. Men. Officers. Men. Officers. Men. Totals.^ 

First N. J., 2 15 8 98 3 36 162 

Second N. J 2 3 . . 18 2 21 46 

Third N. J . . . . 7 . . I 8 

Fourth N. J., 8 I 72 I 14 96 

Tenth N. J 3 2 14 i 18 38 

Fifteenth X.J 3 2 7 .. 2 14 

Totals 4 32 13 216 7 92 364 

At sunrise itf the 8th of May the corps had arrived at a point 
where a road crossed the Germana plank-road. A tannery occu- 
pied one of the corners. Here the Ninth Corps, under. Burnside, 
were resting after their stifif fight on the left. Burnside had ac- 
complished a march of thirty miles on the 6th to bring his corps 
to assist the Army of the Potomac. The men of the Jersey 
Brigade had their first sight of negro soldiers, the Third Division 
of the Ninth Corps, commanded by General Ferero, being com- 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 119 

posed of negroes, except the field staff and line officers. As the 
men of the Sixth Corps passed, many of them shouted greetings 
to General Burnside, who- responded good-natnredly to the sobri- 
quet of "Pop Burnside." A little beyond where the Ninth Corps 
was resting the Sixth Corps halted for rest and breakfast. In 
about half an hour the march was resumed, but under the most 
distressing-' conditions. The heat w^as intense, the undergrowth 
shutting off any breeze, the dust ankle-deep and lig'ht as air. so 
that the atmosphere was filled with it. Many of the men suf- 
fered from sunstroke, falling in the ranks, and were lifted to^ the 
roadside by comrades. At 3 o'clock, or a little after, the Brigade 
came on to the field where the Fifth Corps had been engaged in 
an unsuccessful attempt to drive the enemy from the entrench- 
ments near Spottsylvania Court House earlier in the day. 

A number of Union dead were scattered around and most 
numerous were the Duryea Zouaves, with their short blue jackets 
and red trousers. On request of General Warren for assistance, 
the Jersey Brigade was sent over to him. A small column con- 
sisting of the Third and Fifteenth New Jersey Regiments was 
sent forward to develop the enemy's strength and position. The 
Third advanced as skirmishers, supported by the Fifteenth, the 
two regiments being led by Colonel Campbell, of the Fifteenth. 
The rest of the Brigade were ordered to' lie down. The Second 
and Fourth Regiments in the first line and the First and Tenth 
Regiments in the second line. The two regiments advanced to 
within fifty yards of the earthworks before a shot was fired and 
then a terrific fire was opened upon them. They continued the 
advance, charging the breastworks, and broke through the 
enemy's line. Having completed the work they were sent to do, 
and having nO' support, they were forced to retire, which they did 
in good order. The affair cost the Brigade about one hundred 
and fifty men killed, wounded and mising. A little later Warren 
sent another and stronger force to break the enemy's line and 
drive him out of the breastworks. The assaulting column was 
made up of the First Division of the Fifth Corps, Getty's division 
of the Sixth Corps, except Neill's brigade, and Foster, in his 
''New Jersey in the War," says, the Tenth Regiment, New Jersey 
Volunteers, from the First New Jersey Brigade. This may be an 



120 FIRST SEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

error, tor the rei)ort of General Warren makes no mention what- 
ever of the Tenth New Jersey, though the writer thinks not, for 
he saw the whole movement, and after the withdrawal of the 
Union forces saw numbers of the Tenth Regiment drifting out 
of the smoke and rejoining the Brigade, among them an officer, 
who, he was told, was Captain Perrine, of the Tenth, with his 
lower jaw shattered by a bullet. The Jersey Brigade was formed 
in mass on the left of the assaulting column, and when it ad- 
vanced the jersey men advanced also alx)ut one hundred yards 
and were then ordered to lie down. The assaulting column 
made a dash for the enemy's breastworks, driving them out of 
the first line and on over the second line. 

The liring was incessant and sustained. The Confederates 
threw re-enforcements from both right and left and both flanks 
of the Union force were attacked. Finding the position taken 
from the enemy untenable, the order to retire was given and the 
men slowly but steadily retired, bringing with them between two 
and three hundred prisoners. The Jersey Brigade remained in 
position until after dark, when it was withdrawn and allowed to 
rest. During the night a drenching rain fell, causing great suf- 
fering to the wounded who had not yet been rescued, and dis- 
comfort to the men. On the morning of the 9th of May the 
Brigade was moved to the left about a mile and placed in reserve. 
Being about half a mile from the enemy's line, the men could see 
l)lainly their movements and the disposition of their troops behind 
the l)reastworks which appeared very formidable. While resting 
here the noise of horsemen approaching drew the attention of the 
Brigade. Soon General Sedgwick and staff appeared, going 
towards the right. About two hundred yards from the right of 
tlu' IWigade a battery had gone into position. When General 
Sedgwick arrived there he dismounted and gave instructions to 
the officers commanding in regard to placing the different pieces, 
suggesting improvements in the locations and in the direction for 
tiring. The eyes of all the Brigade were on him, for he was 
greatly esteemed by the men. While gazing at their beloved 
commander, as he leaned over a gun giving orders, they were 
horrified to see him straighten up with a jerk and fall backward. 
He was caught l)eforc he struck the ground and was immediately 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 121 

surrounded l)v liis staff and orderlies, who, after some delay, 
secured a stretcher and had the General carried past the rear of 
the Jersey Brigade towards the field hospital. The officer com- 
manding the battery had noticed the exact spot from which the 
Confederate sharpshooter had fired the fatal shot, which was 
located by the puff of smoke. It was from the notch of a tree 
inside the Confederate breastworks. The artillery officer trained 
a gun himself and fired. The shell burst apparently right in the 
place from which the puff* of smoke had come. The sharp- 
shooter's rifle ball had struck the General in the left cheek just 
below the eye and penetrated the brain. His death caused great 
g"loom in the corps as soon as it was known. General Wright, 
commanding the First Division, Sixth Corps, was directed to 
take command, and General Russell, of the Third Brigade, took 
command of the First Division. 

The men, being" rested, were marched to the rear to screen their 
movements and then towards the left of the Sixth Corps. No 
move of any importance was made, the Brigade being sent some- 
times to right and then back to the left. At about three o'clock 
the Brigade, being on the left of the corps, was marched a short 
distance still further to the left to join in a demonstration to 
develop the enemy's strength on that part of the field. Two 
regiments, the First and Fifteenth, under Colonel Campbell, of 
the Fifteenth, were moved forward to seize and hold a road in 
front of the Brigade. The two' regiments advanced, driving the 
Confederate skirmishers across a swamp and through the low 
scattered pines until they reached a ridge commanding the road. 

Here the little column halted and remained during the night 
of the 9th. Early in the morning of the loth of May, the Sixth 
Corps was advanced and the two regiments rejoined their 
Brigade. On this day. General Burnside with the Ninth Corps 
had the extreme left of the army, Avith the Sixth Corps on his 
right, but separated from him by a considerable space unoccupied 
by troops. Next to the Sixth Corps the Fifth was stationed, 
while the Second, under Hancock, held the right of the army 
In the morning Hancock and Warren made a combined attack 
on the intrenchments in their front, but did not succeed in driv- 
ing the enemy out. Later in the day Colonel Upton, with four 



122 FIRST XEPV JERSEY BRIGADE. 

regiments of the Second Brigade, four regiments of the Third 
Brigade, First Division, and four regiments from the Second 
Division, Sixth Corps, made a splendid assault upon the enemy's 
works in front of the Sixth Corps, and carried them, the men 
fighting across the top of the breastworks. Upton in his report, 
page 668, Vol. 36, Part i, Series i, gives this spirited description 
of the fighting: ''Here occurred a deadly hand-to-hand conflict. 
The enemy sitting in their pits, with pieces upright, loaded, and 
with bayonets fixed, ready to impale the first who should leap 
over, absolutely refused to yield the ground. The first of our 
men who tried to surmount the works fell, pierced through the 
head by musket balls. Others, seeing the fate of their comrades, 
held their pieces at arm's-length and fired downward, w^hile 
(jthers, poising their pieces vertically, hurled them down upon 
the enemy, pinning them to the ground.'" 

Colonel Upton was to have been supported by ]^Iott's division 
of the Second Corps, wdiich had been sent over to fill the gap 
between the Sixth and Ninth Corps, but for some reason Mott 
failed to advance, and Hancock being repulsed on the right, 
Colonel Upton's column was obliged to retire. He brought off 
about 1,200 prisoners and a number of Confederate battle-flags. 
His loss in killed, wounded and missing was about 1,000. 

Foster, in his book, gives the Jersey Brigade credit for this 
achievement. On page 113 he says: "Wright's First Division, 
including those regiments of the Jersey Brigade not with Colonel 
Campbell, with the Third Division (Sixth Corps), made a charge 
as a column of assault under Colonel Upton, which, while one 
of the most g-allant of the war, was also at all points successful." 

Colonel Upton in his report makes no mention of the First New 
Jersey Brigade, giving the number and State of each regiment of 
his column. 

This gallant affair of Upton's gained for him the honor of 
promoti(^n on the field of battle, General Grant advancing him' 
to the rank of Brigadier-General. As a feat of arms and a dis- 
play of resolute and detemiined fighting, it was so far without 
parallel in this campaign. 

As soon as the regiments of Upton's force had cleared the 
field, the Fourth New Jersey were deployed as skirmishers along 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 123 

that front where the assault was made. During the night the 
I enemy poured several volleys intO' the skirmish line, but as they 
; had built barricades with such material as could be reached there 
; were no casualties. 

The nth of May dawned dark and lowering. The Second 
New Jersey Regiment relieved the Fourth on the skirmish line 
in the evening. The latter regiment had several men wounded 
during the day. Rain fell during the whole day, stopping only 
for short intervals. The men needed rest, and as no movement 
of any magnitude could be made while the rain fell, the whole 
army was allowed to remain quiet. The ground was saturated 
with the rain and at every step the men would sink into the mud 
to the shoe-tops. During the night of the nth of May the 
Second Corps was moved from the right of the army and took 
position on the left of the Sixth Corps. Their march had been 
ver}' slow and tedious on account of the darkness and mud. 
I The 1 2th of May dawned cloudy and rainy. The men, wet 
and chilled, were making themselves as comfortable as possible 
at about half-past five, when a rousing cheer on the left told them 
that something' was going on. Firing commenced at once on the 
left and the cheering continued at intervals. The firing soon be- 
came very heavy and while the Brigade was trying to make out 
what it was all about the Brigade band commenced to play the 
National airs. General Penrose ordered the Brigade massed and 
the Adjutant read an order giving an account of the splendid 
charge upon the enemy's works on the left of the Sixth Corps 
made by the Second Corps. When the Second Coi-ps left the right 
of the army, Warren was ordered to fill in the gap left by Han- 
cock and to keep the Confederates busy at that end of the line. 
At half-past five, General Hancock gave the signal to advance in 
silence, but when his men were within a hundred yards of the 
rebel ^^•orks, they broke into a charge, cheering as they went. 
They drove the enemy out of the intrenchments, capturing Gen- 
erals Edward Johnson and Stewart with 4,000' prisoners and 
twenty guns, besides many battle-flags, 
b . . The Sixth Corps was sent in to support the Second on the 
right. When the Jersey Brigade approached the works it found 
the front already occupied by our troops. The Brigade was then 



12^ FIRST XEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

marched at double-quick to the right for about a quarter of a 
mile. A thin belt of young- pine and cedar between the Con- 
federate earthworks and the open space on which the Brigade 
was moving concealed the movement for a few minutes, but the 
forest growth becoming thin, the rebels discovered the movement 
and poured a most destructive fire into the Brigade. 

In the first volley Captain Richard Foster, of Company K. 
First Regiment, was shot through the left knee. Men were 
falling everywhere as the Brigade emerged into the ()i)en field. 
The order was given to march by the left fiank. bringing the 
Brigade into line of battle, and charged. The Brigade dashed 
forward, attacking the breastworks and continued to fight, the 
men lying down or kneeling on one side with the enemy on the 
other. 

During the moNement the right of the First New Jersey Regi- 
ment was forced by the pressure into a strip of young pine on 
the right with thick undergrowth, and while endeavoring to get 
to the front, Captain \\'ykoff. Company G, was struck by a 
rifle-ball in front of the right shoulder, the ball coming out 
lK.'hin(l the left shoulder. The Brigade continued to hold its 
position until a1x)ut two o'clock. Before it was relieved a sec- 
tion of the P'ifth U. S. Artillery was brought to the front and 
opened on the rel^el intrenchments with double canister. A 
few minutes after the battery opened on the rel^el line. Captain 
T). P>. l>rown. of Company I, First New Jersey Volunteers^ 
while un top of the breastworks calling on his men to follow, 
was struck in the right elbow by a rifle-ball, shattering the bones, 
necessitating amputation. The enemy's fire became too hot for 
human endurance, the section losing more than half its men and 
nearly all of its horses. The section was reduced to a slow fire 
and would have been obliged to cease altogether had it not Ijeen 
for a number of the gallant Fourth New Jersey Regiment, who 
volunteered to serve the guns. Lieutenant Metcalf ran out of 
canister and resortetl to shell and shrapnel with one second 
fuse. The fire was very destructive and the enemy's efforts to 
drive the I'nion men from the position were unavailing. Finally 
the ammunition for the section was exhausted and it was with- 
drawn by the infantry. Another section was sent to take its place 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 125 

during the afternoon. The firing slackened late in the after- 
noon, more because the men on both sides were more cautious 
about exposing themselves. The Brigade had been in the firing 
line since before eight o'clock in the morning. It was nearly 
two when relieved by other troops. The Brigade retired about 
one hundred yards to the rear and laid down. The loss was 
very heavy, the regiments as lined up showing mere skeletons. 

During the day, but -particularly in the afternoon, the enemy 
displayed, at various points, white flags. Immediately the fire 
ceased in their front, squads of Confederates, from half a dozen 
to twenty-five or thirty, would leap over the breastworks, throw 
down their guns and give themselves up. The last incident of 
that nature happened quite late, when at least thirty Confederates 
jumped over the breastworks, and as they did so a murderous 
fire was poured into them by their own men, killing or wounding 
all but seven or eight. The firing continued on the left of the 
Sixth Corps with unabated fury until long after dark, a con- 
tinuous stream of lead being kept up over the breastworks at a 
point where they were built out into an angle or salient. 

Behind this point were two trees, some say oak, others say 
hickory, each about twenty inches through. These trees were 
cut off just at the height of the breastworks by the bullets from 
the Union line, one of them falling upon a South Carolina regi- 
ment, wounding several of the men. 

The firing at this point was steady all day and until midnight, 
when the Confederates abandoned their efl:'orts to retake the in- 
trenchments and retired tO' their second line of works, about eight 
hundred yards in rear of the ones captured. As fast as a regi- 
ment exhausted its ammunition another was pushed forward in 
its place, soi that the firing should not slacken. In the afternoon 
a battery of Coehorn mortars was installed on the left of the Jer- 
sey Brigade and threw 12-inch shells into the Confederate works. 
The bursting of these shells was watched closely by the men of 
the Jersey Brigade, bets being made whether an arm or a foot or 
a head would be thrown into the air. The Brigade remained in 
reserve during the night and the next day. On the morning of 
the 13th of May some of the Jersey men went over to the breast- 
works to see the result of the fight. They returned sickened by 
9 F B 



126 FIRST SEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

the sight. The trenches were full of wounded and dead Con- 
federate soldiers. The rain had half-filled the trenches which 
covered many dead Confederates: others lying- partly in the 
bloody water, some still alive, but the greater part dead. Some 
of the wounded. men had managed to crawl up the side of the 
trench but were unable to wholly mount the incline, and hung 
there. The trenches looked like a narrow canal of blood. Almost 
fcverv conceivable kind of wound could be seen, one man having 
had his head blown clear off. Those who still lived were relieved 
as quickly as possible, but many of them having l^een wounded 
in the head were unconscious, having to be dragged out from 
under the dead. Most of the wounded were helpless, but a few 
could walk with assistance. The helpless ones were carried to a 
drier and more sheltered spot, the less seriously wounded being 
taken to the hospital. 

Tlie day was uneventful, the troops resting- after the tremen- 
dous strain of the day before. Advantage was taken of the quiet 
of both sides to rescue the wounded within reach and to bury the 
dead. At three o'clock in the morning of the 14th the Brigade 
was formed in column and moved off to the left. The Fifth 
Corps had been sent to the left and had been marching all night. 
The rain had fallen almost continually during the day and night 
and the soil was so softened that the passage of the Fifth Corps 
had made it a sea of mud. The conditions were most uncom- 
fortable. At daylight the corps had reached the Nye River, the 
marching through the mud making the movement most difficult 
and fatiguing. The rear of the Fifth Corps had just cleared the 
crossing when the head of the Sixth Corps arri\ed. The brigade 
of regular troops of the Fifth Corps were occupying the place 
known as Myer's Hill, or Ca3des, just beyond the crossing. As 
soon as the Sixth Corjjs cros.sed, L'i)ton's brigade, now onlv about 
eight hundred strong, relieved the regulars. Upton sent three of 
his regiments deployed as skirmishers to the front. Finding he 
would require a stronger force to hold the position he sent to 
General Wright for another brigade. 

The Second and Tenth Regiments, New Jersey Volunteers, 
were sent. Two companies of the Second were deploved as 
skirmishers and tlie rest of the res:iment and the Tenth were 



\ 




CHARLES WIEBECKE, 
Lic'utt'nant-C(tlinu-1 Stcnnd Xcw Tcrscv Volunteers. Killed. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 127 

ordered to the intrenchments. The skirmishers had only just 
arrived at the point the)^ were to occupy when the enemy were 
discovered forming in line for a charge, in the timber a few 
hundred yards from the skirmish hue. The skirmishers retired 
while the Second, Tenth and a regiment of Upton's brigade were 
ordered to advance. They were hardly in position when the 
Confederate line came out of the woods and charged. At the 
same time, a body of cavalry with a section of horse artillery 
rode out from behind the woods on the left of the line and 
opened fire, enfilading it. The rebel charge was checked by the 
fire poured into them by the Union troops, but they, receiving 
re-enforcements, resumed the offensive and forced the line back, 
taking the hill. In this fight the Brigade lost one of its best and 
most esteemed officers, Lieutenant-Colonel Wiebecke, of the 
Second New Jersey Regiment. He was instantly killed, and 
wlien the position was retaken his body was found naked and 
maltreated. The two Jersey regiments lost a number of men 
captured. 

The Fifth Corps arrived at its appointed position; the Sixth 
Corps following and passing in the rear of the Fifth became 
the left of the army. The corps was massed in a heavy growth 
of timber. The 15th and i6th were passed in throwing up 
breastworks, placing batteries, developing the enemy's position 
and skirmishing. The 17th of May the Sixth Corps rested, the 
men needing relief from the strain of constant marching and en- 
trenching of the last two days. On the i8th, the Sixth Corps 
was countermarched to the right in company with the Second, and 
<lispositions made to assault the new line l>ack of the Bloody 
Angle made by the Confederates. They displayed such vigor 
in the defense that the columns were withdrawn after two un- 
successful attempts to capture the works. The Sixth Corps re- 
turned to its former position on the left of the Fifth Corps. The 
corps remained here until the 21st of May, when it marched to 
the Xorth Anna River, being rear guard for the army. During 
the afternoon, when about to abandon the intrenchments, the 
enemy displayed a heavy column and attacked the corps. They 
Avere met and driven back Iw the First Division, under General 
Russell, the Jerseymen taking their share of the fight. 



128 



FIRST XEjy JERSEY BRIGADE. 



The following is a list of officers killed or mortally wounded 
in the Spottsylvania battles : 

First — Captain Foster, Company K. 

Captain Wyckojflf, Company G. 
Second — Lieutenant-Colonel Wiebecke. 
Third — Captain Thomas P. Edwards. 
" Lieutenant Richard A. Curtis. 
" Lieutenant Richard Duffy. 
Fourth — Lieutenant Samuel D. Cross. 
Fifteenth — Captain Cornelius C. Shimer. 
" Captain James Walker. 

" Lieutenant George C. Justice. 

Lieutenant William A'^an Vov. 



Missing or 

Killed. Wounded. Captured. 

Regiment. Officers. Men. Officers. Men. Officers. Men. 

Staff, I 

First X. J., 1 2 2 48 I 8 

Second N. J. i 3 i ;i6 i 26 

Third N. J i 19 6 92 i 99 

Fourth N. J 15 4 62 2 6 

Tenth N. J., 15 2 78 5 49 

Fifteenth N. J 4 71 2 157 2 36 

Totals. 7 125 17 473 13 154 



Totals, 

I 

62 

68 

148 

89 

149 

272 



-89 



The Sixth Corps remained in position on the Xorth Anna 
River until the 26th, occupying its time in building breastworks 
and destroying the Fredericksburg and Virginia Central Rail- 
roads. The men of the Jersey Brigade were engaged in this 
w^ork for some time. They were drawn up in line on one side 
of the track which was pried up. A section of the track was then 
raised and thrown over. Fires were built on and under the rails 
to warp them and render them useless for relaying. 

On the 27th, the Brigade with the rest of the Sixth Corps 
moved towards the Pamunkey River, crossing on the 28th. On 
the 29th it continued the advance to Atlee's Station, and took 
position on the right of Hancock's Second Corps, occupying 
TTanovcr Court PTouse. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 129 

May 30th, the term of service of the men of the Second New 
Jersey Regiment who had not re-enlisted expired, and they left 
the front for home, to be mustered out of service. 

General Phil Sheridan had been sent on a great raid early in 
the month and had done some splendid work in the rear of Lee's 
army. On the 29th, General Meade received a dispatch from 
him. saying that he was at Cold Harbor, hard pressed, but could 
maintain his position, which he was ordered to do until assistance 
arrived. The Sixth Corps was sent at once to relieve him. 

By the order of Lieutenant-General Grant of May 22d, the 
Eighteenth Corps, under Major-General W. F. Smith, was to 
join the Army of the Potomac. It was about 12,500 strong and 
formed part of the Army of the James, under General B. F. 
Butler, which was entrenched at Bermuda Hundred on the James 
River, and as General Grant in his report says, "hermetically 
sealed up." 

The Eighteenth Corps came by way of White House, on the 
Pamunkey River, having left General Butler's army, on trans- 
ports, on the 30th. The Sixth Corps started from the main army 
on the night of the 31st of May and arrived at Cold Harbor on 
the morning of June ist, the Eighteenth Corps arriving some 
hours later, owino- tO' an error in the order for the route and 
destination. As soon as the two corps joined, dispo'sitions were 
made for an attack. It wa.s six o'clock in the evening before the 
assault was made, the Sixth Corps on the left and the Eighteenth 
on the right. Russell's First Division, of which the Jersey 
Brigade was the First Brigade, occupied the centre of the Sixth 
Corps. The Union forces captured a part oi the Confederate 
works but were unable tO' maintain their advance, and were 
obliged to retire. During the night the two corps intrenched 
along their front, 

June 3d, at 4 130 o'clock in the morning, the Second, Sixth and 
Eighteenth Corps made a vigorous assault on the enemy's line. 
A division of the Second Corps was successful in making a 
lodgement and carrying the position in the front, but the Sixth 
and Eighteenth Corps were repulsed. The Confederates were 
then able to withdraw a part of their force from the front of 



I 



130 FIRST XEir JERSEY BRIGADE. 

these two corps and tlirow it against the Second Corps, driving; 
it out. Fighting was going on nearly all day at different parts 
of the line. The corps commanders then ordered their men to 
intrench tiieir fronts and make their positions strong as pos- 
sible. 

The term of service of the First and Third Regiments expired 
on the 1st of June, but they were not allowed to leave the front 
until June 4th. when they were withdrawn and ordered to report 
at Trenton, X. T. The re-enlisted men were consolidated wnth 
tile Fifteenth and Fourth Regiments temporarily, but later were 
formed into the First, Second and Third Battalions, each bat- 
talion having three companies. The Jersey Brigade took part 
in the battle of June 3d and sustained some loss in killed and 
wounded, the corps losing about 1,200. 

The Second Corps had been moved from the right to the ex- 
treme left while the Fifth and Ninth closed up to right and rear 
of the Eighteenth. The}- were attacked by the enemy in the 
course of the movement but kept their lines intact, but lost some 
skirmishers, captured. In describing the battle and speaking of 
the Second, Sixth and Eighteenth Corps, General Humphrey in 
his book, page 182, says: "Promptly at the hour these corps ad- 
vanced to the attack under heavy artillery and musketry fire and 
carried the enemy's advanced rifle-pits. But then the fire l^ecame 
still lnjtter and cross-fires of artillery swept through the ranks, 
from the right of Smith to the left of Hancock. Notwithstand- 
ing this destructive fire the troops w-ent forward close up to the 
main line of intrenchments, but not being able to carry them. 
quickly put themselves under cover, and maintained the positions 
they had gained, which in some places were but thirty, forty and 
fifty yards from the enemy's works. The loss in officers and 
men was licavy, and especially so in brigade and regimental 
commanders, who are the leaders in action. The greater part 
of the fighting was over in an hour or less, though attacks were 
renewed after that time." On page 185 of the same book: "The 
Sixth Corps advanced to the attack, with Russell's division on 
tlie left. Rickett's in the centre, Neill's (Getty's) on the right. 
The advanced rifle-pits w-ere carried on the right, and then the 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 131 

assault on the main line was made, but was repulsed ^^•ith heavy 
loss. Yet positions were g-ained and held close to' the works, at 
some points only thirty or forty yards from them. During- all 
the time, besides the direct fire, there was an enfilade artillery 
fire that swept through the ranks from right to left." 

In this fight the color-bearer of the First New Jersey Regi- 
ment advanced close up to the works. Not hearing the order to 
retire, he remained there, lying down until night, wdien, under 
the cover of darkness, he returned to the regiment. Several of 
the men of the First and Third Regiments whose time had expired 
on the ist of June, were wounded in this charge. The attack 
was not renewed on this part of the line, but further to the right 
the Nin.th Corps was successful in driving the enemy, but were 
finally withdrawn from the advanced position. No more fight- 
ing took place and the battle of Cold Harbor, one of the bloodiest 
of the war, was ended. No positive advantage accrued to the 
Army of the Potomac and the loss was shocking. General 
Humphreys gives the number of killed and wounded as 5,617. 
This does not include the missing, many of whom were doubtless 
killed. On the night of June 3d those of the wounded who 
could be rescued were brought in, but many of the wounded lay 
on the field forty-eight hours, exposed to the heat of the day,, 
without water or assistance. The most of these poor fellows 
died before the rescuing parties were allowed tO' attempt their 
rescue, owing to the refusal of General Lee to accede to the 
proposal of General Grant to cease hostilities for twO' hours for 
this humane purpose. 

General Humphreys says the battle of Cold Harbor lasted 
less than an hour. This would show 93 men killed or wounded 
every second, and does not include the casualties in the Ninth 
or Fifth Corps. Many have blamed General Grant for ordering 
this charg^e to- be made, but not even that experienced soldier 
could determine the cost before hand. As it was, the outcome 
of the battle was not to the advantage of the Army of the 
Potomac, but was rather an encouragement to the enemy. 

General Grant in his Memoirs, on page 276, 2d A^ol., says: "I 
have always regretted that the last assault at Cold Harbor was 
ever made." 



132 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



The loss of the Brigade in the battles of the North Anna, 
Pamunkey and Totopotomoy, as recorded in Volume 36, Series i , 
Part I, of the Official Record, page 159: 

Killed. Wounded. Missing. 

Rcgivu'iit. Officers. Men. Officers. Men. Officers. Men. Totals. 

First N. J., 6 . . 2 8 

Third X. J 4 ■ • 4 

Tenth X. J . . • • 5 • ■ • • 5 

Totals .. 15 •• 2 17 



The loss at Cold Harbor, same volume of the Official Record, 
page 172, was : 



Regiment. 
First X. J., . . . 

Third X. J 

Fourth X. J.. . 
Tenth X. J., . . 
Fifteenth X. J.. 

Totals, . . . 



Killed. Wounded. Missing. 

Officers. Men. Officers. Men. Officers. Men. Totals. 

.... 5 2 23 . . 2 33 

. . I 2 . . 12 . . I 16 

.... 2 I 14 . . 2 19 

.... 18 4 58 . . . . 80 

. . . . 12 . . 24 . . . . 36 



39 



131 



184 



'i'lie officer killed in this battle was Captain Oscar Westlake, of 
the Third New Jersey Regiment. 

The history of the Sixth Army Corps, from the commence- 
ment of the campaign in the \\'ildemess to the departure of the 
Corps from Petersburg to the defense of Washington, will have 
to serve for the history of the First New Jersey Brigade, for no- 
where in the records published by the Government is there to be 
found any report from the commander of the corps, the com- 
mander of the First Division, nor the commander of the First 
Brigade. The matter contained in this part of the history of the 
First Brigade (First New Jersey Brigade) is taken from the pub- 
lished reports of the commanders of the other brigades of the 
division, "Humphrey's Virginia Campaign," "Grant's Memoirs," 
"Stein's Army of the Potomac," and other works, and from 
personal recollections of participants. 

On the night of the 12th of June, the army continued the 
flanking movement commenced in the Wilderness. The Fifth 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 133 

Corps moved out and crossed the Chickahominy River at Long 
Bridge, the Second Corps following. The Sixth and Ninth 
Corps followed on the 13th, crossing at Jones' Bridge. Intrench- 
ments had been thrown up on an interior line to cover the with- 
drawal, deceive the enemy and to make resistance to a flank 
attack from him successful. The moving of the corps was at 
night, while during the day a display of force was kept up. The 
ruse was successful, for General Lee did not realize that the 
Union forces were in full swing for the James River until 
the 17th. 

The Eighteenth Corps had left its line on the 12th with the 
Fifth Corps, and marched tO' White House, where it was em- 
barked on transports to rejoin the Army of the James. The 
Sixth Corps moved to Charles City Court House on the 14th, 
the Jersey Brigade passing the battlefield where they had fought 
for their beloved chief and had rendered him such timely aid. 
The corps remained there till the i6th, when it moved close to 
the pontoon bridge across the James River, and threw up in- 
trenchments along its front. On the night of the i6th the First 
and Second Divisions embarked on transports and proceeded to 
Bermuda Hundred, reporting to General Butler, while the Third 
Division crossed on the pontoon to the south side of the river 
and reported to General Meade. The First and Second Divisions 
remained at Bermuda Hundred until the 19th, when they crossed 
the Appomattox River and rejoined the Army of the Potomac, 
being placed on the right of the army, and remained there till 
the niofht of the 21st. The two divisions were then moved to 
the extreme left of the line, a heavy skirmish line being thrown 
out. 

During the 22d and 23d of June the skirmishers were kept 
very busy by the enemy. During the night of the 23d, the two 
divisions were returned to the position they held on the 21st. 
Picketing and skirmishing occupied the days, the Jersey Brigade 
furnishing its detail until the 29th. On this day the Sixth Corps 
advanced to Reams Station to the assistance of Wilson's cavalry 
division. General Wilson had been instructed to penetrate the 
enemy's lines and destroy the Southside, Richmond and Dan- 
ville and Weldon Railroads as far back as he might be able. 



134 I'IRSr XEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

The cavalrymen had nearly finished the work when they were 
attacked l)v the enemy's cavah-y supported by infantry, and with 
difficulty escaped, abandoning their artillery. On July 2d, the 
corps returned to its first position near Peterslmrg-. where it re- 
mained until the 6th. when the Third Division was ordered tu 
City Point to take transports for the defense of the city of Wash- 
ington, the First and Second Divisions following on the 9th. 
The Third Division sailed for Baltimore and arrived there in 
time to be forwarded to the little army under General Lew 
Wallace, at Frederick, Md. 

The First Xew Jersey Brigade at this time was reduced to 
three regiments, the Fourth, Tenth and Fifteenth. The re- 
enlisted men of the First. Second and Third Regiments had been 
inc(jrporated with the Fourth and Fifteenth. The Brigade at 
this time numbered less than twelve hundred men. 

When General Meade marched the Army of the Potomac 
from its winter camps near Brandy Station, a simultaneous move- 
ment was made bv all the armies of the Union, by order of 
Lieutenant-General Grant. Part of this movement was the ad- 
vance of the army under General Franz Sigel up the Valley of 
the Shenandoah. Sigel got as far as Xew Market before he 
met the eneniy in any force. Here, on the 14th of May, he 
encountered General Breckenridge. who administered a severe 
defeat and forced Sigel to retire to the line of Cedar Creek. 

General Grant, being disappointed in the conduct and result 
of the campaign, suggested to General Halleck to relieve Sigel 
and find some one else to command in the Valley. Halleck 
named General Hunter as a fitting commander of the Shenan- 
doah Valley forces. Hunter, being acceptable to General Grant. 
was accordingly ordered to take over the command of Sigel's 
army. He at once made preparations to advance. He was given 
additional troops, and having issued supplies was i-eady by the 
25th to advance. On the morning of the 25th he began the 
march towards Woodstock. His instructions were to live as 
much as possible on the country and to push on to Charlottes- 
ville to Lynchbtu"g. where he was to destroy the \^irginia and 
Tennessee Railroad. Tlie army passed through Xew Market 
and PTarrisonburg to Port Republic. On June 5th he resumed 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 135 

the march and advanced towards "Staunton. At Piedmont he 
found the Confederates, now under General W. E. Jones. 
General Hunter did not delay, but at once formed for attack, 
which was made soon after midday. The Confederates were 
completely routed, losing a large number in killed and w'ounded, 
their commander, General Jones, being killed. The prisoners 
numbered about 1,500, including 400 wounded. Three guns 
and a large number of small arms were also captured. 

General Hunter had orders, when he started, to meet General 
Sheridan at Charlottesville. Sheridan had left the Army of the 
Potomac at Cold Harbor on June 7th, by order of General Grant, 
to push on towards the Valley, and en route, to destroy the Cen- 
tral Virginia Railroad and do as much damage as he could to the 
Confederate lines of communication on his way to Charlottes- 
ville, where Hunter's army was expected to be. Sheridan suc- 
cessfully accomplished the task of destroying- the railroad, but at 
Trevillian Station w-as confronted bv the Confederate cavalry 
in force, supported by a very considerable force of infantry. 
After some very severe fighting, he was forced to abandon the 
Charlottesville part of the plan and return to= White House on 
the Pamunkey, his ammunition and rations running short. When 
Hunter arrived at Lynchburg he learned from prisoners of Sheri- 
dan's mishap and, finding the Confederate position too strong, 
withdrew after an' ineffectual attempt to storm the enemy's works 
with his whole force. From prisoners taken here he learned that 
General Jubal Early had arrived with his corps- and was in com- 
mand. He was also confronted by the facts that he had not suffi- 
cient ammunition to fight a pitched battle, and food was getting 
scarce. The necessity of reaching supplies compelled a rapid 
march to the rear, during which the army was continually 
harassed by the Confederate cavalry under General Ransom. As 
the orders for the destruction of food and forage had been liter- 
ally carried out during the advance up the Valley, there was 
nothing to be gained by foraging, and so the "headlong" flight 
was continued. The roads on the direct route to the rear were 
occupied by the enemy and Hunter was obliged to deflect and 
march towards West Virginia. He expected a train of supplies 
I nit was disappointed. In this retreat he lost eight guns and 



13G FIRST XEIV JERSEY BRIGADE. 

a number uf wagons, some of the latter being burned because the 
horses and mules had died from starvation and overwork. Hun- 
ter left Lynchburg on the 19th, and it was the 27th of June before 
he received supplies at White Sulphur Springs, where he arrived 
<»n the 24th. He then heard that the train he had expected was 
set upon by guerillas and the guard had taken it back to Gauley 
Bridge. 

During this rapid march the men had been obliged to live on 
six ounces of raw flour a day per man, without coffee. Still they 
were not pinched by hunger, for they had plenty of fresh meat 
on the hoof, which was killed and issued to them. 

General Jubal Early, being now in command of the Confederate 
forces and seeing the opportunity to make a counter diversion, 
and having a sufficiently strong force to make the attempt, de- 
cided to adopt the alternative given him by General Lee to make 
a foray into Maryland and threaten, if not capture, Washington. 
As soon as he could get his army in shape he commenced his 
advance down the V'alley and arrived at Staunton on June 27th. 
His army consisted of four divisions of infantry, three battalions 
of artillery, about forty guns, and, with the cavalry, numbered 
about 17,000 men. The authorities at Washington, being in- 
formed of Early's movement, became apprehensive. The first 
definite information they had was sent by Sigel. who was at 
Martinsburg. As soon as his pickets reported* the enemy's pres- 
ence on his front he sent dispatches to Washington, and moved 
nearly all the government stores by rail to Harper's Ferrv and 
across the Potomac. He drew in all his outlying posts and re- 
tired to Maryland Heights, where he felt secure. Harper's Ferry, 
being immediately under the heavy guns mounted on the heights, 
was safe from occupation by the Confederates. The fear of 
another invasion of Maryland, now threatened, caused an ani- 
mated correspondence between Halleck and General Grant, the 
former urgently calling for succor. The Lieutenant-General at 
first did not think the situation so serious, believinsf rather the 
reports brought to him by his scouts that Early had not left 
Richmond. But when, on July 5th, he learned that Early was 
actually in Maryland, he directed General Meade to send a divi- 
"^ion of a corps to re-enforce the troops guarding Washington. 



FIRST XEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 137 

On July 6th, the Third Division of the Sixth Corps, under Gen- 
eral Ricketts, was sent, as before stated. On the 9th the First 
and Second Divisions were ordered to City Point to embark. 
They left City Point on the loth and arrived in Washington on 
the nth and 12th. As they left the transports they were met 
and welcomed by President Lincoln and his Cabinet and a crowd 
of citizens. The welcome extended to the Jersey men as they 
formed in line was like the one given them in 1861, when their 
timely arrival relieved the anxiety of the people of the Capital. 

While these efforts were being made to re-enforce the garri- 
sons of Washington and Baltimore, General Early, always ener- 
getic and impetuous, had pushed on to Frederick, Maryland, 
spreading out foraging parties to gather supplies of all kinds. 
General Lew Wallace, in command at Baltimore, marched out 
towards Frederick to dispute the Confederate advance, taking 
with him every man that could be spared from the defenses of 
the city. On the night of the 7th and morning of the 8th of July, 
Ricketts arrived in Baltimore with his division, and at once, on 
the order of General Halleck, marched to swell the force General 
Wallace had taken with him, arriving at the Monocacy River on 
the evening of the 8th. General Wallace retired from his posi- 
tion to Monocacy Junction, about three miles from Frederick, 
which was the most defensible position to guard the two roads 
from Frederick, the one to Washington, the other to Baltimore. 
General Wallace's little army was composed of the Third Divi- 
sion, Sixth Corps, about 3,500 men, 2,500 men gathered from 
different organizations in Baltimore, seven guns and about 450 
cavalrymen. This was a ridiculously small force to oppose 
Early's army, which was almost intact, only one brigade with a 
battery having- been detached by him, to threaten Baltimore. But 
it was sufficient to delay the Confederates, confident and exacting. 
It was a very unecjual fight, but it was a good one, that was 
fought at Monocacy on the 9th of July, the Union men holding 
their ground until afternoon, keeping back the enemy for nearly 
a whole day. The Sixth Corps men lost nearly one-half of their 
number, i,6oo' of them being killed, wounded or captured. The 
battle opened about eight o'clock in the morning and was stub- 
bornly contested till mid-afternoon, when Early, exasperated by 



138 FIRST XEJV JERSEY BRIGADE. 

the determined opposition and delay, sent a heav}- flanking column 
around the left of Rickett's position, causing it to give ground. 
The rest of Wallace's force was obliged to retire, and the little 
army, sadly depleted in number, retreated on the Baltimore turn- 
])ike, leaving the road to Washington open. 

Next day Harlv advanced cautiously and approached the out- 
Iving forts and earthworks that surrounded Washington. These 
had been manned by the hea\y artillery regiments that had been 
retained for this purpose, the Veteran Reserve Corps, a pro- 
visional brigade made up of government employes in the Quar- 
termaster's Department, several regiments of emergency troops, 
called (Hit for loo days, and dismounted cavalry. A body of 600 
mounted men under Major W. H. Fry, of the Sixteenth Pennsyl- 
vania Cavalry, supplied the cavalary force. 

The Confederate army appeared before the defenses of Wash- 
ington on the morning of the nth and commenced driving in the 
pickets and skirmishers in front of Forts Stevens and Reno. The 
Second Division of the Sixth Corps arrived in Washington at 12 
M. and immediately took up the line of march after landing, 
going towards the Chain Bridge, across the Potomac. They were 
met by the -\djutant-General of the troops in \\'ashington and 
directed to march as rapidly as possible to Fort Stevens. The 
guns at Fort Stevens had opened on the Confederates between 
one and two o'clock and kept them from making any serious 
demonstration. The head of the Second Division arrived at Fort 
Stevens at about 4 P. M. and at once took part in the skirmish- 
ing, General Wheaton. temporarily in command, deploying a 
brigade as skirmishers, relieving the Veteran Reserves and Quar- 
termaster's Brigade, who were then being driven in toward the 
city. The appearance of the Sixth Corps headquarters' flag with 
the Greek cross was the assurance to Early that the whole of the 
corps had arrived and confronted him. He already knew from 
the prisoners captured at Monocac>' that one division had left 
Petersburg, but as they had left that place three days l>efore the 
other two divisions, he could gather no further information until 
his lines confronted them at Washington. Hot skimiishing was 
kept ui) until ton o'clock that night, when firing ceased. During 
the night Farly retreated. 



FIRST NBIV JERSEY BRIGADE. 139 

On the morning- of the 12th the Jersey Brigade with the rest 
of the First Division, Sixth Corps, arrived on the field, increas- 
ing the force under General Wright to about 10,000 men. Gen- 
■eral Grant wanted the Union forces to pursue Early vigorously 
and destroy his army. There were so many in command of 
separate bodies of troops that there was no concert of action. 
C. A. Dana, Assistant Secretary of War, a forceful and energetic 
man, telegraphed to General Grant, describing the situation, ask- 
ing him to place some one in command of all the troops in and 
about Washington. General Grant immediately replied, order- 
ing these separate commands tO' report to General Wright, and 
•directed him to assume command and push the pursuit. His 
message contained this paragraph: "He (Wright) should get 
out of the trenches with all the force he possibly can and push 
him (Early) to the last moment." A division of the Nineteenth 
Corps, under General Emory, had arrived at Washington at 
about the same time as the Sixth Corps, coming from New 
Orleans. 

General Wrigiit, with the two divisions of the Sixth Corps, 
moved out at about noon, leaving orders for Emory to follow as 
speedily as possible. 0;n the suggestion of General Grant, Hal- 
leck sent an order to General Hunter, then making his way as 
fast as he could from West Virginia to the Shenandoah Valley, 
knowing that he was needed there, to rendezvous with General 
Wright at Edward's Ferry, on the Potomac, so as tO' cut off 
Early's passage back into Virginia. Hunter's troops were so 
footsore and reduced by the rapid march from Lynchburg' that 
he decided to send them by water. But in this he was so greatly 
delayed by the shallowness of the rivers, caused by the great 
drought, that it took much longer to make the movement than it 
would have if his men had been in condition and marched. , 

General Wright pushed on as fast as he could, the intense heat 
and dust making- marching difiicult. The infantry got as far as 
Offut's by half-past seven in the e\'ening. General Emorv with 
part of his division, about 3,500 men, followed. The Sixth Corps 
arrived at Seneca Falls on the 14th, too late to head Early off, 
for by that time Early had successfully crossed all his troops, 
prisoners and plunder, at White's Ford, and had gone into camp 



140 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

at Leesburg. On the evening- of the same day, General Wright's 
army arrived at Poolesville, Mar}-land. He rested here until the 
i6th, Early remaining in camp at Leesburg as long as General 
Wright was at Poolesville. On the 15th General Wright received 
an order from Halleck to continue the pursuit of Early, using 
caution, and to keep on his track until it was certain that the 
Confederates were retreating to the upper part of the Valley or 
Richmond. A part of the First Division of the Sixth Corps that 
had been detached and remained near Washington, with Emory's 
First Division of the Nineteenth Corps, together about 5,000 
men, arrived on the 15th, augmenting General Wright's amiy, 
thus making it about 15,000 strong. On the morning of the i6th 
General Wright began the forward movement, crossing the Poto- 
mac at White's Ford and advanced on the road to Leesburg. 

On the same day Early broke up his camp and started south. 
He knew of the re-enforcement of General Wright, and his 
friends in the valley kept him posted about General Hunter's 
efforts to bring his army to join General Wright, the van of his 
army having reached Martinsburg on the loth. This advance 
guard remained at that place, resting, till the morning of the 
13th, General Hunter himself pushing through to Harper's 
P'erry. His army, under Generals Sullivan and Duffie, fol- 
lowed quickly, passing through Harper's Ferry and making 
every effort to join General Wright and help to cut off 
Early from his progress south. When Hunter's forces at last 
came in touch with General \\'right. Early had escaped, passing 
between the converging columns, and had succeeded in carrying 
off all the plunder of which he had robbed the ^larylanders. 
During this time General Grant was anxious to have the Sixth 
and the division of the Nineteenth Corps sent back to him as 
soon as the Confederate army was far enough away from the 
Potomac to allow the withdrawal of those two bodies of troops. 
According to his letters to Halleck. he believed that Early could 
be checked, if not quite prevented, from making another raid into 
Maryland by General Hunter's army. Halleck wrote General 
Wright, giving the views and tentative order of General Grant, 
which was construed by General Wright into a positive order. 
Acting on his interpretation of the letter from Halleck. he sent 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 14! 

General Crook, with his division of Hunter's army, on after 
Early through vSnicker's Gap, following- with the Sixth and Nine- 
teenth Corps on the i8th of July. The vanguard found that 
Early had crossed the Shenandoah River at. Snicker's Ferry and 
encamped a mile back, leaving a strong guard at the Ferry, 
General Crook sent a part of his force below Snicker's Ferry to 
a ford some distance from the ferry, with orders to effect a cross- 
ing and advance up the river, with the intention of driving 
away the guard. A stubborn and hotly contested fight ensued, 
which resulted in the defeat of the Union troops, who were 
driven back across the river. The attempt to- effect a crossing 
being unsuccessful, General Wright directed the withdrawal of 
the troops engaged. He remained in camp at Snicker's Gap 
uhtil the 20th, by which time Early had retired towards 
Winchester, On this day General Wright resumed the pur- 
suit, crossing the river at Snicker's Ferry and passing the battle- 
field of the 1 8th. The grewsome sight of heads, legs and arms 
of the Union dead, sticking out from under the few shovelfuls 
of earth thrown upon them, gave rise to- bitter denunciation, by 
the Union soldiers, of Confederate inhumanity. General Wright 
evidently had no desire to risk -a battle with Early, though he 
was now strong enough to have engaged him with a good 
chance of success. Still the order to follow cautiously seemed 
to control his movements and he was very deliberate. Early had 
left his camp near Snicker's Ferry on the 19th, and Wright fol- 
lowed on the 20th, expecting tO' gO' as far as Berryville. He did 
not, however, but returned by Snicker's Gap to Leesburg, from 
which place he wrote to Halleck, on the 21st: "Conceiving the 
object of the expedition to be accomplished, I at once started 
back as directed in your orders, and to-night shall encamp on the 
east side of Goose Creek, on the Leesburg pike. Two days easy 
march will bring the command to Washington." Halleck was 
greatly exercised about the defenseless condition the approaches 
to Washington would be left in by the withdrawal of the vet- 
erans of the Army of the Potomac, and reiterated his fears in 
every letter to General Grant, calling his attention to the fact 
that the hundred-days' men, called out for the emergency, would 
be going home very soon. General Grant replied that the Sixth 
10 F B 



142 FIRST XEir JERSEY BRIGADE. 

and Xineteenth Corps could l)e retained until Early's departure 
was assured. 

General Wright had left the pursuit of Early to General 
Crook, who followed Early as far as Kernstown, where he 
camped. Early verv quickly learned that the Sixth and Nine- 
teenth Corps had heen withdrawn, and countermarched rapidly, 
striking Crook's division and Averill's cavalry with such vigor 
that thev were obliged to retreat with more haste than dignity. 
Crook did not stop anywhere ver}' long, until he had crossed to 
the north side of the Potomac. General Hunter ordered him to 
secure the South Mountain passes at once. This turn of affairs 
being communicated to General Grant he telegraphed to Hal- 
leck. repeating his order to retain the Sixth Corps to assist 
Hunter. He also sent another division of the Nineteenth Corps, 
4.600 strong, from the Army of the Potomac to re-enforce the 
troops defending Washington. 

In. the meantime, General Wright, with the Sixth Corps, was 
making his way towards the Capital, the men pretty well worn 
out with the marching and intense heat. Rations were becoming 
scarce, and as the country swarmed with bushwhackers, the men 
did not dare to do any foraging on their own account. These 
])artisans were encouraged in this practice of irregular warfare by 
the Confederate authorities, through the partisan leader, Mosby, 
who was was regularly commissioned by the Confederate gov- 
ernment, and whose methods were recognized as legitimate. The 
bushwhackers were not soldiers, though encouraged by Mosby, 
and made war only on the defenseless farmers and isolated posts 
of the Union ariny, when they were strong enough in num1)ers 
to overwhelm the ones attacked. A sick or disabled Union 
.soldier, obliged to fall out of ranks, if found, had little mercy 
shown him by these thieves. He was either murdered out- 
right or dragged off as a prisoner. Another cause of suffering 
among the men of the Sixth Corps was the lack of clothing. 
more esi>ecially shoes. Many of the men plodded along with 
badly worn siioes. and some with none at all. The roads were 
rough and the marching difficult even for those who were well 
shod. The heat was intense and the dust ankle deep. The Sixth 
Corps arrived at the Chain Bridge over the Potomac on July 23d. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 143 

in the morning, and crossed. About three miles from the bridge, 
the corps camped near Tenallytown, where the men rested, while 
waiting for the supplies that had been requisitioned. They 
needed the rest as much as the clothing, which arrived in due 
lime and was issued. To the men who^ were not too greatly 
fatigued by the marching and distressing conditions, and who 
had drawn new clothing and shoes, the proximity of Washing- 
ton was a great temptation and numbers w^ent into the city. On 
the 26th, the men having rested sufficiently and the absentees 
recalled, the march was resumed at eleven o'clock in the morning. 
The raid of Early intoi Mainland again changed the destination 
of the Sixth Corps, and instead of going to the transports to 
embark for City Point they were hurried off to meet the Con- 
federate army. The pace was killing but they kept on wnth but 
short halts, till midnight. For all the haste the corps marched 
but fifteen miles, halting for rest about five miles from Rock- 
ville, Md. Only four hours were allowed for sleep, the reveille 
sounding at 4 A. IVL, and the route taken up at five o'clock. The 
direction was towards Hyattstown, where the corps camped, 
the distance made being' but thirteen miles. The troops remained 
in camp here till six o'clock on the morning of the 28th of July. 
The march was continued, the corps arriving on the battle- 
field of Monocacy at about one o'clock. The men of the Third 
Division had now an opportunity to view, almost at leisure, the 
battlefield where they had stood so firmly and fought so bravely 
to delay Early's advance but a short while before. The bridge 
over the Monocacy having been burned when that battle was 
fought and not }et rebuilt, the Six Corps was obliged to wade 
across the river, when the march was resumed at 5 P. M. At 
midnight the corps halted, and camped, near Jefferson City, hav- 
ing marched twenty-five miles. The next morning the corps 
marched to Harper's Ferry, crossed the Potomac and proceeded 
to a position four miles beyond, at Halltown, and camped. The 
march ^vas very wearing, the country being much broken and 
hilly. The men were greatly in need of rest, for thongh the 
marches were not long, except in \\\o or three instances, the 
difficult roads of this section and the intense heat caused great 
suffering. The men were allowed to rest till 2 P. M. of the 30th, 



144 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

when the corps was countermarched, passing through the little 
village of Bolivar, and halted for several hours near the Potomac. 
At nine o'clock in the evening the corps re-crossed the Potomac 
at Harper's Ferry and marched to Jeffersonville, and camped 
there at two o'clock in the morning of the 31st of July. This 
march was frightfully severe, many of the men being over- 
come by the heat, many of the cases being so serious that they 
were sent to the hospital, some of them dying from sunstroke. 
The march was resumed at ten o'clock in the morning, the route 
being towards Frederick City. A steady march till 7 P. M. 
brought the corps within two miles of that place, where a halt 
was made for the night. General Wright and his troops were 
now in a position to head off the Confederates who had made 
the raid into Maryland. But the men of the Sixth Corps were 
very much used up, for the march had been more exhausting 
than that of the previous day. The heat was greater with but 
little or no air stirring, and the roads deep with dust, heated by 
the sun till it was almost scorching. ]\lany of the men fell by 
the roadside from exhaustion and the effect of the heat, and were 
left where they fell, the ambulances l^eing overcrowded. 

The corps remained in camp here till ten o'clock on the morn- 
ing of August I St. when the order was given to "fall in." In a 
half hour or so the order was countermanded. The men dis- 
posed themselves in various ways, sleeping, cleaning their arms 
and tidying up generally, for the rest of the day. At half-past 
two in the morning of August 2d, reveille was sounded, and 
almost immediately "Pack up" told the men they were to march 
on. At half-past four the route was resumed. After marching 
three miles the First New Jersey Brigade was detached from 
the corps and ordered to act as escort to the trains. The 
Fifteenth Xew Jersey took the advance, the Fourth and Tenth 
acting as rear guard. After marching fifteen miles, a halt of an 
hour was made to water and feed the mules. This being done a 
further march of two miles brought the train of 300 wagons 
to the Monocacy, where the First Division, Sixth Corps, was 
encamped, the First New Jersey Brigade rejoining the division. 
On August 3d. the division was drawn up in two lines facing in- 
wards to pay the last tribute of resj>ect to the body of Major 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 145 

Ellis, of General Russell's staff, then being taken home for 
burial. He had been wounded in one of the skirmishes some 
time before and had died that morning. 

The corps rested all day of the 4th of August, and until about 
half-past nine in the night of the 5th, when soon after "tattoo" 
the men were roused and ordered to fall in. Strict orders were 
read to- the men about straggling. The order provided for ten 
minutes rest after each hour's march. Apparently nO' attention 
was paid tO' this part of the order by the officers in command, 
for the men were kept on the move all night and till eight 
o'clock in the morning of the 6th of August. This night march, 
without rest, told fearfully upon the men, numbers dropping out 
of the ranks utterly exhausted. After resting for two hours, the 
march was resumed at ten o'clock and continued till six o'clock 
in the evening, when the corps halted for the night. The corps 
had now returned to Halltown, where the troops were concen- 
trating. 

On the morning of the 7th of August an order was received 
by the different corps commanders to the effect that General 
P. H. Sheridan had been assigned to the command of all the 
troops in the Valley. During this day and the next, the First 
New Jersey Brigade, with the rest of the army, remained in 
camp, resting, and to give those who had dropped out of ranks 
during the march, time to rejoin their regiments. While in camp 
here the report was brought of the seizure of five house-guards 
from the Brigade, by guerillas. 

Early's victory over Crook at Kernstown, on July 24th, de- 
termined his next move, which was to be a repetition of his 
campaign in June and the first part of July. He followed Crook 
pretty closely, feeling secure in his superior strength, since the 
Sixth Corps had been withdrawn. He sent the cavahjman, Mc- 
Causland, into Maryland to gather supplies, following with the 
greater part of his army, with the supposition that the dem- 
onstration would cause a further depletion of General Grant's 
army, by the detachment of troops to guard Washington and 
Baltimore. McCausland's instructions included the ransoming 
or burning of captured cities and towns. His selection for this 



146 FIRST XEir JERSEY BRIGADE. 

brutal ser\ice was a ritting one. McCausland penetrated the 
Union lines and arrived at Chambersburg- on July 30th. He 
demanded five hundred thousand dollars in greenbacks or one 
hundred thousand dollars in gold, as ransom, the alternative 
being the destruction of the city by fire. The citizens sent a 
delegation to the Confederate commander, assuring him of the 
utter inifKJSsibility of raising such a sum. Thev were sum- 
marily dismissecl and the order to set the city on fire issued to 
Alajor Harry Gilmore, who promptly carried it out. Three 
thousand i)eople were rendered homeless in a few hours, many 
of them losing everything except the clothes they stood in and 
such things as thev could carry. The people were driven out of 
their houses into the open field by the Confederate soldiers, no 
time being allowed them to secure even food. 

General Averill with his division of cavalry had been ordered 
in pursuit of McCausland, but too long after the Confederates' 
destination was known, to save Chambersburg. Averill pushed 
the pursuit energetically and was but two hours behind ^Ic- 
Causland when the city was fired. At the distance of ten or 
twelve miles from Chambersburg, A^•eril^s troopers saw the vast 
clouds of smoke from the doomed city, and animated by the 
desire to punish the perpetrators of the outrage, and help as 
much as lay in their power the unfortunate people, they pushed 
on w:ith increased vigor. 

McCausland knowing that his pursuers must l^e near him. 
pushed on toward Cumberland, Maryland, intending to exact 
the same tribute from its citizens. General Averill entered 
Chambersburg about three hours after McCausland had left, 
the city still burning in many places. He abated nothing of the 
vigor of his pursuit and finally overtook the raiders near ]Mc- 
Connellsbiu^g, Pa. He imiiicdiately deployed and moved against 
them, driving them towards the Potomac River, saving ^Ic- 
Connellsburg. Betlford, Hancock and several other small places 
in Pennsylvania, from the fate of Chambersburg. On the 31st. 
General Averill had forced McCausland to the river, but the 
latter, fearing to exixjse his band of raiders to attack while 
crnssing. took the road along the bank of the river towards 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 147 

Cumberland, where he arrived on August ist. Here he found 
General Kelly and his brigade, entrenched on Folck's Hill, a mile 
from the town. McCausland levied a ransom on the citizens of 
Cumberland, but the proximity of the Union fire and the pos- 
sible early arrival of Averill, decided him to make an effort to 
drive off Kelly first. He accordingly deployed, and attacked the 
Union position. The engagement commenced early in the 
afternoon and was sustained for several hours. Finding the 
Union position too strong, and fearing the advent of Averill' s 
cavalry at any minute, he withdrew after dark, leaving his dead 
unburied, and his wounded uncared for. 

The invasion of Maryland by Early, and the raid of his 
cavalry, was naturally construed into an intent to- invade the 
North. Halleck's almost frantic appeals for help and an efficient 
leader caused General Grant to send General Sheridan with a 
division of cavalry. Sheridan arrived in Washington, August 
4th, and set toi work to study the situation. General Grant feel- 
ing that he could not know everything that was going on solely 
through the medium of the telegraph and letters, had left the 
Army of the Potomac and went straight to the camps at 
Mo-nocacy to look intO' the conditions himself.. He did not stop 
in Washington, but sent an order for General Sheridan to follow 
him. When the two met, the whole matter was gone over and 
final instructions left with Sheridan in the form of a letter in- 
tended originally for General Hunter. Sheridan learned from 
this exactly what was expected of him, but left him unhampered 
by details as to his plans. He was left to make these for him- 
self and put them into execution. On the same day General 
Hunter requested to be entirely relieved from command, by 
which act all the troops around Washington, in Maryland and 
the valley, came under the command of Sheridan. On the same 
day the four military divisions, the Middle Department, De- 
partment of Washington, Department of the Susquehanna, and 
that O'f West Virginia, were consolidated and placed under the 
command of Sheridan. All the troops, including those of the 
army of General Hunter, were now concentrating at Halltown, 
four miles south and west of Harper's Ferry, the strongest and 



148 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

easiest defended position in that part of the Valley. Averill's 
cavalry was the only body of Union troops not at. or near, Hall- 
town, he being occupied in following up the raiders under Mc- 
Causland. This leader threatened a number of places, attacking 
several, capturing prisoners and doing as much damage as he 
could. General Averill overtook him at ]\Ioorefield, at the 
junction of South Fork and the South Branch of the Potomac, 
on August 6th, and immediately attacked with such vigor and 
impetuosity that McCausland's band was broken up and dis- 
i:>ersed, the men scattering and seeking safety singly, or in small 
squads, in the mountains. Averill captured all of his artillery, a 
battery of four giuis, 400 horses, 420 prisoners, three battle- 
flags and nearly all his wagons. Early, in his report to General 
Lee, admits that it was a very damaging blow to his army. 

General- Sheridan's army, which was now designated as the 
Army of the Shenandoah, consisted of the old reliable Sixth 
Corps, one division of the Nineteenth Corps, the Army of 
^^'est Virginia, under General Crook, having two divisions, 
both of which together were not equal in strength to a 
division, a division of cavalry from the Army of the Potomac, 
under General A. T. A. Torbert, the former commander of the 
First New Jersey Brigade, and Colonel Powell's small brigade 
of cavalry. General Averill's brigade was to be added to the 
cavalry force as soon as he arrived at Halltown. General Tor- 
bert was made chief of cavalr}'. General Wesley jMerritt taking 
Torl^ert's place in command of the division. 

General Sheridan, in his Personal Alemoirs, page 475, Vol. i, 
makes the following concise and pithy statement : "In a few 
days after my arrival preparations were completed, and I was 
ready to make the first move for the possession of the Shenan- 
doah Valley. For the next five weeks the operations, on my 
part, consisted almost wholly of offensive and defensive 
maneuvering for certain advantages, the enemy confining him- 
self, meanwhile, to measures intended to counteract my designs." 
While completing his preparations, the Army of the Shenan- 
doah remained at Halltown, with the Sixth Corps on the right 
of the army, and the Nineteenth Corps on the left. Getty's 




T. W. OAKLEY, 
Surgeon First Brigade. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 149 

Second Division of the Sixth Corps was on the left of the 
corps, his left connecting with the right of the Nineteenth, 
Rickett's Third Division on the right and in rear of the Third 
Russell's First Division on the right and in rear of the Third 
Division and extending tO' the Potomac River. The pike-road, 
from Harper's Ferry to Winchester, was between the right of 
the Nineteenth and left of the Sixth Corps. 

During these days Early's army lay at and around Bunker 
Hill, about twenty miles west and south of Halltown. It con- 
sisted of Early's own corps, the three divisions commanded by 
Rhodes, Ramseur and Gordon, Breckenridge's column from 
southwest Virginia and the cavalry brigades of Vaughan, John- 
son and Imboden, and what was left of McCausland's band after 
his interview with Averill. 

Early broke up his camp at Bunker Hill on the 4th of August, 
and marched towards the Potomac, camping a few miles north 
•of Martinsburg, sending his cavalry and two divisions of infantry 
across the Potomac, to* gather supplies from the farms about 
Sharpsburg. Vaughan' s brigade of cavalry penetrated as far as 
Hagerstown, Maryland, and caused another panic among the 
inhabitants. At this time, August 4th, General Hunter was 
still in command at Halltown, concentrating his army there by 
order of General Grant. At the same time the Sixth and Nine- 
teenth Corps were marching towards that place. Early, realiz- 
ing the insecurity O'f his position from the proximity of Hunter, 
and himself with a divided army, recalled his troops from 
Maryland and returned to Martinsburg on the 6th of August. 

On the 9th of August, General Torbert arrived with his di- 
vision of cavalry, and on the loth the forward movement com- 
menced. 

When Early sent his cavalry and infantry into Maryland, the 
people were panic stricken, but it caused General Grant no un- 
easiness, since he had given Sheridan complete control of all 
the troops, and he had confidence in that general's ability to cope 
with the situation. However, General Grant promptly ordered 
Meade to send another division of cavalry from the Army of 
the Potomac to swell General Sheridan's forces. General 



150 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

Meade sent General Wilson with his division, and it was on the 
way when General Sheridan l>egan his march to Winchester. 
Besides the cavalry, General Meade sent, by order of General 
Grant, another division of the Nineteenth Corps, under General 
Cuvier Grover. 

The First New Jersey Brigade, with the rest of the Sixth 
Corps, moved out of camp, passing through Charlestown, and 
took position on the right of the army, at Clifton. At the same 
time Early marched south from Bunker Hill, and took position 
covering A\'inchester, and next day abandoned the position and 
contiiuied the march to Strasburg, where he occupied the 
trenches and breastworks he had thrown up on a former oc- 
casion. 

It now became a matter of common report that Early was 
looking for re-enforcements from Richmond. Having a strong 
position, he decided to wait there for help, sent him l)y General 
Lee. During this movement the cavalr\' were very active, many i 
small affairs and skirmishes being fought. The sound of their 
artillery was often heard by the men of the main army, and 
speculation was rife as to the chances of overtaking the enemy 
and forcing a hght. On the morning of the nth of August, 
the Jersey Brigade reached the Opequon Creek, where the ^lill- 
wood pike crosses it, and camped. Colonel Edwards, command- 
ing the Third Brigade of the First Division of the Sixth Corps, 
was sent back with his command, to Winchester, to bring up the 
wagcm train. While in the town he learned that about 130 
w'ounded, of l)oth sides, w^ere there being cared for by the people, 
and that they were mostly cavalrymen. 

On the 1 2th of August, the Jersey Brigade, with the rest of 
the army, moved on after Early, who, they found, had retired to 
Fisher's Hill. The army followed as far as Cedar Creek, where 
it halted, the Jersey Brigade l^eing sent across as skirmishers. 
Lively fighting ensued between the two lines of skirmishers for 
several hours, until dark. Next morning the Sixth Corps crossed 
over and took the position held by the enemy at Hupp's Hill. 

General Sheridan now learned the exact facts concerning the 
re-enforcements sent to Earlv. Thev were Kershaw's division 



PIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 151 

of Long-street's corps, Fitz Lee's division of cavalry and a 
brigade of artillery, all under the command of General Ander- 
son. Sheridan, realizing- that he would be overmatched when 
these troops joined Early, decided that a retrograde movement 
was the best course to pursue, at least until his own re-enforce- 
ments should arrive. The skirmishers of the First New Jersey 
Brigade entered Strasburg in the morning and remained there 
until the evening of the 12th. They were then withdrawn and 
the Sixth Corps re-crossed Cedar Creek, leaving a strong line of 
pickets in the south side. On the 15th very lively skirmishing 
was kept up between the pickets of the opposing forces, the 
Jersey Brigade now being- the picket reserve for the whole line. 
The Confederate skirmishers were very determined and drove 
the Union line back a little way, but were in turn driven back. 

On the evening of the i6th, the Sixth and Eighth Corps 
(fonnerly the Army of West Virginia), began the retreat, the 
Sixth Corps arriving in Winchester at five o'clock in the morn- 
ing of the 17th, having marched all night. By this time Ander- 
son had got into supporting distance of Early. The Confederate 
signal station notified the latter of the withdrawal of Genera! 
Sheridan. Word was sent at once to Anderson and both Con- 
federate forces started in pursuit, but not before Anderson had 
sustained a severe repulse by the cavalry brigades of Generals 
Devins and Custer, while crossing the Shenandoah River, en 
route from Front Royal, to join Early. Anderson lost 300 cap- 
tured and two battle-flags. 

General Sheridan, after a thorough inspection of the country 
around Winchester, decided that it was too open in which to 
make a successful stand. He continued his retrograde march to 
Berryville, covering Snicker's Gap, by which route he expected 
Grover's division of the Nineteenth Corps to arrive. He left the 
guarding of the rear to General Torbert and detached the First 
New Jersey Brigade, now only about 850 strong, to support him. 
In this way it came about that the Jersey Brigade was to fight 
under its old commander and win new laurels. General Wilson, 
with his division of cavalry, joined the army south of Win- 
chester, and it was his division and Colonel Lowell's brigade. 



152 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

with the Jersey Brigade, that acted as rear guard for the army. 
This occurred on the afternoon of the 17th of August. General 
TorlxMi deplo}ed the Jersey Brigade, the Fourth Regiment, 
under Colonel Campbell; the Tenth, under Lieutenant-Colonel 
Tay. and the Fifteenth, under Major Boeman, along a little 
creek near Winchester, running in a southerly direction. A 
squadron of cavalry, dismounted, was deployed on the left of 
the Jersey Brigade, to cover the front. In a very short time 
after the disposition was made, the Confederate cavalrv attacked 
and very lively skirmishing ensued. 

In Pond's Shenandoah Valley Campaign, page 130, this ac- 
count of the rear guard tight is given : "The Jersey men held 
Early's horsemen in check all the afternoon, and only when 
Wharton s division attacked their right, and Ramseur's division 
their front, while Gordon's advanced against the cavalry, was 
the line broken." The Jersey Brigade still faced the enemy with 
undaunted courage and clung to the position with great de- 
termination. The advance of the enemy was arrested and held 
in check, mainly through the persistence of the Jersey Brigade. 
Between seven and eight o'clock in the evening, the Confederates 
advanced a double line of skirmishers along the whole front, 
hairing l>ecame heavy and continuous until, finally, the Union 
line was forced back to the cover of a stone fence. Here the 
gallant Jerseymen found protection enough to enable them to 
hold their position until it was dark. The Confederates having 
Ix^en pre\ mted from following the army to.o closely, and the 
purpose of the rear guard fulfilled, the line was withdrawn as 
soon as it was dark enough to do so safely, and the Jerseymen 
retreated through Winchester. While passing through, a body 
of Confederate troops overtook them and commenced firing. 
At the same time a number of the inhabitants opened fire from 
their houses on the Union rear guard, wounding a number of 
lliem. The Confederate troops captured a large number of the 
Brigade, the Tenth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers, meeting 
the heaviest loss, Lieutenant-Colonel Tay commanding, and 
about 150 of the men being taken prisoners. The loss sustained 
l)y the Jersey Brigade was 97 killed and wounded, and 200 cap- 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 153 

tured. The following extract from the diary of John P. Beach, 
of the Fourth New Jersey Volunteers, gives a more detailed ac- 
count of the affair : "Our brigade of three small regiments, the 
Fourth, Tenth and Fifteenth, about 850 men, were left to bring 
up the rear and hold the enemy in check. A squadron of the 
Third New Jersey Cavalry was with us. We took up a position 
about a mile and a half south of Winchester, sO' as tO' cover all 
the roads converging near Winchester. About 3 P. M. we de- 
ployed as skirmishers, the Fifteenth on the right, the Fourth 
in the centre, deployed ten paces apart, the Tenth on the left. 
The Fifteenth was holding the road on which the enemy was 
approaching, and at once became engaged with the enemy's 
skirmishers, but the gallant Colonel Campbell, and the brave 
boys of the Fifteenth, with their rapid fire and obstinate resist- 
ance, held them back, repulsing attempt after attempt to force 
their position. In the meantime, the enemy in our front, and in 
plain view, had made no' attempt to advance, but about five 
o'clock heavy columns of the enemy appeared in our front^and 
began to deploy intO' columns of attack. The Fifteenth ap- 
parently were having a hot time of it, and, by the firing, giving 
ground slowly. Between 7 and 8 P. M., the enemy advanced 
in heavy force along the whole line. The ground was open 
and we could see every movement. We were deployed ten paces 
apart, lying down. We watched the enemy advance with a 
double skirmish line, supported by two lines of battle. At this 
time, nearly dark, the firing in front of the Fifteenth indicated 
that they were being forced back. The enemy in our front 
opened fire and we returned it, but our position in the centre 
was becoming critical, both flanks being exposed, the Tenth on 
the left and the Fifteenth on the right, retiring, the bullets 
w^histling from both flanks. It was now either be captured or 
run. With bent forms we broke for the rear. Fortunately for 
us there was a road directly in our rear, with stone walls on 
each side; these and the darkness saved us from capture or 
annihilation." The Jersey Brigade was cut in two by the in- 
trusion of the enemy's force in the town, one body of about 15a 
men, under Captain Johnson, of the Fourth Regiment, getting 
through, but expecting to be cut off at any moment. The other 



154 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

jjart of the Brigade, about 400 men, got through, but with the 
loss of a numl:)er of the men. killed and wounded by the citizens 
of Winchester. Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell was in command 
of these and had a very narrow escape from capture, while in 
the town. The two sections came together north of \\'inchester, 
C'U the 1 8th, and the retreat was continued towards the Opequcn. 
where the Sixth Corps was encamped at the crossing of the 
Rerryville pike. 

When the men had a chance to talk over the events of the 
17th of August, they found that the three small regiments 
composing the First New Jersey Brigade, and a squadron of 
the Third Xew Jersey Cavalry, had fought and successfully de- 
layed in its pursuit the whole of Early's army during the after- 
no(jn and evening, gaining time for the Union army to take up 
a good position on the old Clifton-Berryville line. While in 
camp here the Second Division of the Xineteenth Corps joined 
the army. 

Sheridan's cavalry were active and harassed the advancing 
Confederates as much as possible, getting valuable information 
from prisoners and delaying their advance. From the re[X)rts 
of the cavalrymen and his scout, Sheridan decided that it would 
not be quite safe for him to hazard a battle on the line he had 
taken up, and on the i8th of August continued his retrograde 
movement to Halltown. On the evening of the 18th, the army 
halted two miles from Charlestown for the night. The Sixth 
Corps remained there all dav of the 19th, resting. Rain fell all 
day steadily, and. though not violent, was sufficient to make 
things uncomfortable. 

The next day a number of the Fourth Regiment were given 
transportation to \\'ashington. the three years of service of those 
who had n<^t re-enlisted having expired. As they marched out 
of camp on their jnurney towards home, there were many who 
envied them. 

The 2 1st l)eing Sunday, brought the usual function of that 
day, inspection. The duty was hardly finished when rapid firing 
was iieard on the left. Soon the pickets came in on the brigade 
front and the enemy's bullets began to drop among the men. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 155 

The Jersey Brigade, long accustomed toi sudden alarms, quickly 
formed a strong line of skirmishers and deployed, with a heavy 
support. The enemy's skirmishers were driven back, though 
they continued firing all day. Temporary breastworks were 
hastily constructed to afford such protection as was possible, in 
case the enemy made a serious attack. It amounted to nothing, 
however, but at midnight the army was again on the road mak- 
ing its way to' Halltown, where the Jersey Brigade arrived at 
six o'clock in the morning, and occupied their old position. 
The enemy followed closely, giving the rear guard constant oc- 
cupation in repelling their skirmishers. For three days Early 
made demonstrations against the Union lines, but finding them 
too strong, withdrew his army, except Anderson's division and 
a small force of cavalry. He made a quick dash for the Poto- 
mac, but ran into Torbert, with two divisions oi his cavalry 
corps between him and the river, ready to contest the road. Tor- 
bert gave Early a good deal of trouble, delaying him so much 
that he was forced to give up the plan of crossing- the Potomac, 
and deflected his march tO' his old lines at Bunker Hill. 

The Jersey Brigade remained here quietly until the 28th, not 
called upon for more serious duty than picketing, drilling and 
inspection. On the 28tli the army moved forward slowly to- 
wards the old line from Clifton tO' Berryville, occupying them, 
the Sixth Corps on the right of the arm}', resting- in and around 
■Cliftoii. The disposition of the army was finished on the 31st 
of August. No move was made after the lines were formed, 
and the army lay quiet. Just as the evening was coming on, 
September 3d, and dusk was deepening, musketry firing com- 
menced on the left of the line, where the Eighth Corps, under 
General Crook, was stationed. The fight continued until dark- 
ness ended it. Crook's troops took about seventy prisoners, 
from whom it was learned that the attacking force was Ker- 
shaw's division oi Anderson's corps, on its way to rejoin Gen- 
eral Lee, at Richmond. A dispatch from General Grant to Sheri- 
dan told of heavy fighting around Petersburg, in which the Con- 
federate loss was estimated at about 10,000. and that General Lee 
Avould most probably order Anderson, with his troops, back to 



156 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

Richmond. The hg^ht on the 3d was brought about by Ander- 
son's attempt to return to Richmond, verifying General Grant's 
forecast, Anderson not being aware that General Sheridan had 
advanced. His route was to have been by the Berryville pike to 
the Blue Ridge 'Mountains and cross to the east side, but being 
balked in his route by Crook's corps, returned to Winchester. 

During the next week, constant skirmishing was kept up, 
mostly by the cavalr}^ On the 13th of September, General 
Wright started on a reconnaisance to the Opequon ^vith Getty's 
Second Division of the Sixth Corps. He found the enemy en- 
camj3€d on the south side in force. 

General Grant visited the army on the 14th and conferred 
with General Sheridan in regard to the situation and future 
movements. He found that Sheridan had just completed plans 
for a forward movement and found them so complete and per- 
fect that he made nor suggested any change. 

On the morning of the 14th of September, Anderson started 
again on his return to General Lee's army, taking with him the 
brigade of artillery, under Cutshaw. Through his secret service 
men, Sheridan learned of this depletion of Early's army. It 
was this information that influenced him in drawing up his plans 
for the ensuing campaign. At this time, also, he became aware, 
through a despatch from General Averill, from ]\Iartinsburg, 
that part of Early's army had moved in that direction. 

General Averill was at Martinsburg, protecting the force 
mending the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and while engaged in 
this work was attacked by Early's infantiy. Averill soon 
ascertained that there were two divisions of the enemy in the 
attacking force and at once sent word to General Sheridan. 
Tile latter recognized his opportunity to attack the Confederates 
while their army was divided, and further weakened by the 
departure of Anderson's troops, and decided to profit by it. 

On the 19th of September, the Union arniy was astir at i 
A. M., and en route by three o'clock, the Sixth Corps moving off 
towards the Berryville pike to join the Nineteenth Corps, which 
was to l)e under the orders of General W^right during the move- 
ment. General Wilson's division of cavalry preceded the 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 157 

column, crossing the Opequon Creek at a ford, and pushing his 
way through a defile in the mountain, narrow and densely 
wooded, through which the road ran for a distance of two and 
a half miles, pushing the enemy's pickets and skirmishers before 
him. 

General Sheridan's plan and orders were to g-et the troops in 
position at, or, soon after, daylight, before Early's absent di- 
visions could return, but, though an early start was made, and 
the Sixth and Nineteenth Corps were hurried forward as rapidly 
as possible, the difficulties presented by the narrow defile delayed 
the forward movement so much that it was well on in the day 
before the Sixth Corps had passed through. General Wright 
took but one battery through the defile with the corps, the rest 
of the corps artillery being halted with the wagon train on the 
sides of the road, before it entered the defile, so as to^ not retard 
the passage of the infantry. The Nineteenth Corps followed 
rapidly, but General Einory found great difficulty in getting 
through, the Sixth Corps artillery having started as soon as 
the last of that corps had entered the defile. At General Emory's 
request, the artillery w^ere stopped and drawn off tO' the side of 
the road. As soon as the Nineteenth Corps was well through 
the defile, the artillery went forward rapidly. When the Sixth 
Corps emerged from the defile, General Wright found General 
Wilson holding a small earthwork, intended to guard the en- 
trance to the defile on the west side, he having wrested it from 
its garrison, and was obstinately holding it against the repeated 
assaults of the enemy, who were at the time of the arrival of 
the Sixth Corps forming a heavy column to assault and re-take 
it. The timely arrival of the Sixth Corps checked all further 
attempts. As soon as each division emerged from the defile it 
was formed in line of battle, Rickett's Third Division on the 
right, Getty's Second Division on the left, with Russell's First 
in reserve. The line was about two miles from Winchester, and 
the positions were occupied under a heavy artillery fire from 
the Confederate batteries. This was soon checked by the Sixth 
Corps batteries. 

It was nearly noon when the final dispositions were made, and 
the signal to advance was given. The Nineteenth Corps had 

II F B 



158 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

been assigned a position on the right of Rickett's Division. In 
"General Sheridan's Personal Memoirs/' Vol. 2, page 21, 
this description will be found : "Just before noon the line of 
Getty, Rickett and Grover moved forward, and as we advanced, 
the Confederates, covered by heavy woods on their right, slight 
underbrush and cornfield along their centre arid a large body 
of timber on their left, along the Red Bud, opened fire from 
their whole front. We gained considerable ground at first, 
especially on our left, but the desperate resistance which the 
right met with demonstrated that the time we had unavoidably 
lost in the morning had been of incalculable value to Early, for 
it was evident that he had been enabled already to so far con- 
centrate his troops as to have the different divisions of his army 
in a connected line of battle in good shape to resist." 

At the signal to advance the whole line moved forward. The 
firing opened in heavy volume, increasing as the Union line ad- 
vanced, until it became very destructive. As the line moved 
forward a gap opened between the right of Rickett's division 
of the Sixth Corps and the left of Grover's division of the Nine- 
teenth Corps, which Avas instantly taken advantage of by the 
enemy. T'hey sent forward a heavy column in quick order, and 
were almost inside before the opening was filled by Kiefer's 
small brigade of Rickett's division. It was not strong enough 
to withstand the impact of the Confederate column, which broke 
through, thrusting back Rickett's division and the left of the 
Nineteenth Corps, and were rolling up the right of the army 
when Russell moved for^vard with the First Division of the 
Sixth Corps. Charging at once it struck the right flank of the 
Confederates and soon had them in a difficult position and the 
gallant First Division forced them out and drove them back in 
a disorganized mass to the heavy timber from which they had 
emerged. 

While General Russell was rallying the scattered Third Di- 
vision, assisted by Rickett and his brigade commanders, he was 
struck in the breast by a piece of shell which passed through his 
heart. His death was a shock to the Jersey Brigade and the 
whole Sixth Corps, for he had endeared himself to all of theiii 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 159 

by his kindly treatment and soldierly qualities. It was found 
upon examining his body that he had received a wound before 
the one that caused his death, that would probably have been 
fatal, but he had concealed the fact. 

The Third Division was rallied behind the First, which also 
served as a rallying point for the troops of the Nineteenth 
Corps, which had been forced back and somewhat scattered. 
The report of Lieutenant-Colonel Edward L. Campbell, of the 
Fifteenth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers, commanding the 
First Brigade, shows the fine work done by the Brigade in this 
battle, page i68. Vol. 43, Part i, Series i, Official Records: 
'"Immediately upon arriving in front of the enemy's position near 
the Opequon, the command was formed in reserve, in rear of 
the left of the Third Division, Sixth Corps, with orders to ad- 
vance by the left of the battalions to^ front in such direction that 
the right of the brigade, when wheeled into line, w^ould rest 
upon the Berryville turnpike, keeping about 300 yards in rear 
of the line in front. They w^ent forward from this position 
with the general advance at about 12 M. After passing over a 
wooded hill and moving out upon the open ground a consider- 
able fire of artillery and infantry was encountered, and seeing 
the Third Brigade, on my left, forming line I, also, wheeled 
into- line of battle, and moved forward in this manner, inclining 
to the right, until my centre moved along the turnpike, the Third 
Brigade in its formation having covered half of my front. 
After advancing a few hundred yards further the front lines, 
which had apparently carried the enemy's position, began to give 
w^ay, being evidently pushed back by a strong force of the enemy. 
I pushed my command forward rapidly in order to gain the crest 
of a hill beyond a ravine, before the enemy, and check him at 
that point, but seeing the Third Brigade on my left halt, and 
retire a little to higher ground, I also halted my left, extending 
through the ravine mentioned above, which here curved sharp to 
the rear. At this time I received an order from General Getty 
commanding the Second Division, to detach my right battalion 
and send it forward in the front lines to drive the enemy from a 
cornfield, through which he was advancing. The Fifteenth New 



160 • FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

Jersey was quickly moved forward across the ravine to the crest 
of the other side. Here it was halted (everything- having given 
away to the right and left), with orders to hold the enemy as 
long as possible. The retiring front lines crowded into the 
ra\ine in such dense unorganized masses upon the front of my 
remaining two battalions, that it was with the utmost difficulty 
they were arrested. Very nearly all, however, were prevented 
from going to the rear, and by the assistance of their own 
officers, mo\ed forward again at the next advance. At this time 
I receixed an order from the late General Russell to move to the 
right and form on the brow of the hill on the left of the Third 
Brigade, which had been moved from m}^ left and formed a 
short distance in my right. This w-as probably the last order 
issued by our late dearly loved and deeply lamented division 
commander. The movement was executed, and fire immediately 
opened upon the enemy, who was moving forward on the hill 
beyond the ravine. The advance of the enemy being checked, 
the line was immediatelv pushed forward tO' the top of the hill 
beyond the ravne, mv right resting at a dwelling-house on the 
right of the turnpike. From twenty to thirty prisoners were 
taken here by the Tenth New Jersey Volunteers. 

"The ixjsition l>eing good here, I remained waiting for further 
orders, organizing my line, and endeavoring to form a seContl line 
of troops which had been pushed forward in its front. About 
half an hour afterward, by order of General Upton, then in com- 
mand of the division, my line was pushed forward rapidly, across 
the next field to the edge of a cornfield on still higher ground. 
the enemy retiring readily before a sharp file fire. Here my com- 
mand remained for some time and until the final advance in the 
afternoon. The Fifteenth New Jersey, which was detached l)y 
order of General Getty, as above stated, held its position until 
attacked in flank by the enemy moving down the ravine to its 
right, when it retired, moving around the left of the reserve 
line and re-forming close in the rear. It was now, by direction 
(if Colonel Edwards, commanding the Third Brigade, placed on 
the right of his brigade to fill an interval between it and the 
Second Brigade, where it remained during the remainder of the 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. ' 161 

action, taking an efficient and creditable part in the final advance, 
and taking- quite a number of prisoners. Toward evening" a 
general ad\'ance was ordered, and my command, being thor- 
oughly re-formed, moved steadily forward until, the enemy hav- 
ing been entirely driven from the field, it was encamped for the 
night on the south side of the town of Winchester." 

In Pond's "Shenandoah Valley," page 162, there is given this 
glowing tribute to the First Division, Sixth Corps : "At this junc- 
ture Russell's division of the Sixth Corps splendidly improved a 
golden opportunity. Ordered at once to move up into the front 
line, now needing re-enforcement, the change brought it into the 
gap created b}- the Confederate charge, and continuing its ad- 
vance it struck the flank of the hostile force which was sweeping 
away the Union right, and aided by the Fifth Maine Battery, 
which enfiladed the enemy's line with canister, at once turned 
the tide. The enemy retreated, the line was re-established, the 
fugitives w^ere gathered from the woods in which they had taken 
refuge, while the gallant division took position on the right of 
the corps. But in the hour of triumph Russell had fallen. The 
broken portion of Rickett's line was quickly re-formed behind the 
First Division, now under Upton, and again moved forward, 
v\diile D wight's division having taken the place of Grover's on 
the right of the line, the latter was promptly rallied and brought 
tip." 

The lull in the fighting which succeeded this enforced retire- 
ment was used by General Sheridan in making preparations for 
the final onset, which he determined should be a successful one. 
The Eighth Corps, which was in reserve to the left and rear of 
the Sixth Corps, was transferred to the right and took position 
on the right of the army, the divisions forming in line of battle 
as soon as they uncovered from the rear of the Nineteenth 
Corps. A little before three o'clock, Generals Sheridan and 
Wiright rode along the front of the line, oblivious of the fact 
that they were A^ery conspicuous targets for the Confederate 
sharpshooters. 

At three o'clock the signal to advance was given. Crook's 
men rushed forward, crossing the intervening space between the 



162 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

hostile \mt^ so quickly and striking the enemy's Hnes with such 
impetuosity that they were forced back with but httle resistance, 
though what they did give was destructive. The Eighth Corps 
men drove the left of the enemy's line pell-mell, in a discouraged 
mass. At the same time the Sixth and >rineteenth Corps ad- 
vanced, driving back the enemy on their front. Sheridan had 
shouted to the men, as he rode across the line, that Torbert was 
in the rear of the enemy. This served as a spur to the infantry, 
as well as an encouragement, and the onslaught was irresistible. 
The Confederates, finding themselves overwhelmed by seemingly 
superior numbers, and being made nervous by the sound of Tor- 
bert's guns, in their rear, gave Avay all along their centre and 
right, and retreated precipitately. The Union men followed 
closely, pursuing the fleeing Confederates through Winchester, 
until exhaustion compelled a halt, about two miles south of the 
town. 

In Pond's "Shenandoah Valley," page i66, he quotes from 
a Confederate officer who had. been wounded and captured: "I 
never saw our troops in such confusion before. Night found 
Sheridan's hosts in full and exultant possession of much-abused, 
beloved Winchester. Our scattered troops closely pursued by 
the large army of pursuers, retreated rapidly and in disorder, 
through the city. It was a sad and humiliating sight." 

The only stand that the Confederates made was just north of 
Winchester, where some old intrenchments afforded them some 
little protection. There they posted some guns and a force of 
infantry, the rest of Early's army being placed in line on the 
left and right. The delay caused by this display of organized 
resistance was of short duration, for Torbert and his cavalry- 
men were again in their rear, renewing the dread of being caught 
between two fires, and despite the efforts of their officers, the men 
of the Confederate army left their lines and retreated, losing all 
semblance of organization, and became a fleeing mob. The 
Sixth Corps continued the pursuit on the pike, but the men were 
too tired and worn out to keep it up. The whole army was 
jubilant, and when Generals Sheridan, Wright, Emory, Crook 
and W'heaton rode tlown the line, they were greeted with a 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 163 

tempest of cheers. General Sheridan sent a dispatch to General 
Grant, just such a one as one would expect O'f him : "We have 
just sent them whirHng through Winchester, and are after them 
to-morrow. This army behaved splendidly." 

This battle, considering the numbers engaged, may be counted 
as one of the most destructive of the war. Coimting every man 
in his army, Sheridan had 45,487 men, of which number, at 
least 7,000 must be deducted for guards at various points, quar- 
termasters and commissary details, etc. Early's army numbered 
34,515, according to^ his returns. How many of this number 
were on detached service is not known, but there must have been 
quite a number, and as the Confederate commanders reported 
only those that were fit for duty in the ranks and present, it is 
fair to conclude that his army was not greatly inferior to the 
Union army, in numbers. 

At daybreak of the 20th, the army was in hot pursuit of the 
Confederates. Numbers of them were captured singly and in 
small squads during the day. The march was rapid and by 
evening the Sixth Corps was at Fisher's Hill, a high and pre- 
cipitous bluff at the foot of which a small stream, known as 
Tumbling Run, flowed. Along the blufT and across the valley, 
to a small range of mountains to the west, the Confederates had 
thrown up intrenchments, and had disposed of their force to 
make a considerable resistance. 

The Sixth Corps rested here for the night, almost within 
musket range of the Confederate line. On the morning of the 
2 1 St the Second and Third Divisions, after a severe fight, got into 
position directly in front of the enemy's works, where on the 
next day the Sixth and Nineteenth Corps were massed. General 
Crook with the Eighth Corps had been sent, as secretly as pos- 
sible, during the night oi the 21st, toi the extreme right of the 
army, and was concealed in the timber that covered the smalt 
range of mountains on the Confederate left, with orders to 
attack as soon as he was in position. In the morning Rickett's 
Third Division of the Sixth Corps was taken from the line of 
the Sixth and Nineteenth Corps and moved to the right, to con- 
nect with Crook's left. In a very short time firing on the right 



lf;4 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

indicated that Cmok had struck the enemy's left, and the sound 
of iKittle approaching the left of the Union Hne. the Sixth and 
Xineteenth Corps advanced, driving the enemy from their in- 
trenchments. No serious resistance was offered to the advancing 
Union line. It soon became known that General Crook had 
again Hanked the enemy, and Rickett's division had forced the 
intrcnchments in his front. The Union troops swept over the 
field, the enemv seeking safety in flight. Early's army was 
now in full retreat, abandoning everything, a confused mob. 
Their confidence in their ability to hold Fisher's Hill against the 
efl^orts of the Union troops was shown by the fact that they had 
taken the ammunition Ixv.xes from the liml^ers of the giuis and 
«listributed them along the line of intrcnchments. to make them 
more readily accessible to the gimners. 

The losses in these two engagements were heavy, that of 
the Union army l^eing about 5.000 killed, wounded and missing, 
while that of the Confederates was about 7.000. including 3,000 
wounded, left at Winchester and the small settlements between 
that town and Fisher's Hill. General Sheridan's despatch to 
General Grant, dated at Strasburg, Septeml:>er 20, page 25. Vol. 
43. Series i. Part i, Ofificial Records, tells the story in crisp 
sentences: *T have the honor to report mv command at Stras- 
burg. M\ trtx^ps were so much fatigued by their work yester- 
<lay that I was only able to follow the enemy a short distance 
south of Winchester, ^iy infantry marched from Winchester 
to Strasburg to-day. I could not get ready to attack the enemy 
before night. Earl\- was badly whippetl yesterday. I have not 
yet receixed full rei^orts. The enemy left in Winchester 3.000 
wounded. We captured 5 pieces of artillery, a number of cais- 
sons. 400 stand of small arms. My estimate of Early's loss 
yesterday is over 7,000. He lost the following general officers : 
Rodes and Godwin, killed; Gordon, wounded mortally; Terry, 
Hays. Fitz Lee and Bradley Johnson, wounded. General 
Ramseiir. reported by citizens, wounded; this doubtful. Colonel 
IXival, commanding divison in Crook's arm\-. was wounded. 
General Chapman was slightly wounded ; he is now on duty." In 
A second dispatch, same date, on page 26. Vol. 43, Series i, Part 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 165 

I . Official Records : "From the best sources I have, Early's 
strength is much greater than your estimate. The people of 
Winchester say that Early had yesterday on the field, 28.000 
infantr}-. One of my staff, who was captured yesterday, and 
released ])\- Early near this place this morning, and saw all iheir 
force, estimates it at least at that number. 

Of the battle at Fisher's Hill, he reports by dispatch to Gen- 
eral Grant, sanie page and volume as above, dating six miles 
from Woodstock, on September 22d : "I lia\'e the honor to re- 
]::ort that I achieved a most signal victory over the armv of 
General Early at Fisher's Hill, to-day. I found the rebel army 
posted with its right resting on the North Fork of the Shenan- 
doah, and extending across the Strasburg Valley westward to 
North Mountain, occupying a position which appeared almost 
impregnable. After a great deal of maneuvering during the 
day, General Crook's command was transferred to the extreme 
left of the enemy's line on North Mountain, and he furiously 
attacked the left of the enemy's line, carrying everything before 
him. While Crook was driving the enemy in the greatest con- 
fusion and sweeping down behind their breastworks, the Sixth 
and Nineteenth Corps attacked the rebel works in front, and the 
whole rebel army appeared to be broken up. They fled in the 
utmost confusion. Sixteen pieces of artillery were captured, 
also a great manv caissons, artillery horses, etc. I am to-night 
pushing on down the valley. I cannot say how many prisoners 
I have captured, nor do I know either my own or the enemy's 
casualties. Only darkness has saved the whole of Early's army 
from total destruction." 

Again, on the 24th of September, he sent General Grant the 
following: "The result of the battle of Fisher's Hill gives us 
20 pieces of artillery. 1,100 prisoners of war, a large amount of 
artillery ammunition, caissons, limbers, etc." The victory was 
complete and it was followed up by the infantry, the Jersey 
Brigade taking its share of hard marching as well as the hard 
fighting. In his report of the fighting. General Sheridan, in his 
dispatch of the 23d, says : "Rickett's division of the Sixth Corps 
swung in and joined Crook, Getty's and Wheaton's (First) 



166 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

divisions, taking np the same movement, followed by the whole 
line and attacking beautifully, carried the works of the enemy. 
The rebels threw down their arms and fled in the greatest con- 
fusion, abandoning most of their artillery. It was dark before 
the battle ended. I pursued on after the enemy to this ]X)int 
(Woodstock) with the Sixth and Nineteenth Army Corps, and 
have stopped here to rest the men and issue rations.*' 

When Early was forced away from Fisher's Hill he directed 
the stream of fugitives to New Market, where he endeavored to 
re-form his army. The pursuit was kept up as rapidly as possible, 
the skirmishers of the advance getting in the vicinity of the rebel 
army the next day. Early, finding himself so closely pursued 
and hard pressed, left New ]\Iarket, and finally abandoned the 
valley road, directing the retreat toward Port Republic. Here 
the reorganization was in progress and was in a fair way to be 
accomplished when it was interrupted by General Torbert and 
his cavalry, which was construed by the Confederates to be an 
invitation to move on, which they accepted without argument. 

By this time General Sheridan was a long distance from his 
base of supplies, and considering the difficulty of hauling sup- 
plies, with the attendant risks, to outweigh the advantage to be 
derived by following Early further, he concluded it would be 
the wiser course to withdraw his army toward Winchester. Ac- 
cordingly, on the 6th of October, the retrograde movement was 
commenced. The cavalr}^ was stretched across the valley with 
instructions to destroy all forage and supplies, drive off all stock 
and burn all the mills and storehouses, leaving unharmed only 
the dwellings. They were unmolested until they had proceeded 
as far as Woodstock, where the enemy's cavalry began to harass 
them. General Sheridan halted the army and sent an order to 
General Torbert to engage the enemy's cavalry, "and whip them 
or be whipped" himself. The dashing cavalryman wanted noth- 
ing better and carried out the first part of his instructions to 
the letter. He made his dispositions and attacked, routing the 
enemy disastrously, capturing all his artillery but one piece, and 
as he described it. "everything else on wheels." Torbert fol- 
lowed up his victory, driving the flying Confederate cavalr}' to 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. ]67 

Mt. Jackspn, twenty-six miles from the battlefield, where the 
one piece of the enemy's artillery that had escaped was seen 
going through the pass over the mountain, on "the jump."' 

On the lotli of October the retrograde movement was 
resumed, the army crossing tO' the north side of Cedar Creek. 
General Sheridan, deeming the Confederate forces sufficiently 
demoralized and scattered to carry out the plan of General Grant, 
in regard to returning the Sixth Corps tO' the Army of the 
Potomac, issued orders toi General Wright to march to Front 
Royal. The route was to be through Manassas Gap to Pied- 
mont, and then take cars for Washington. This was changed 
to make Ashby's Gap the starting point from the valley, and 
thence to Washington. By the 12th the corps was well on its 
way, when General Sheridan was informed that General Early 
was again at Fisher's Hill. He had learned a few days before 
that Kershaw's division of Long-street's corps had been ordered 
back to Early's army, and he was uncertain as to the significance 
of Early's advance, suspecting that Kershaw had arrived. 
Knowing Early's indomitable perseverance, and that he must 
know of the departure of the Sixth Corps, he determined to take 
no' chances of having his work of the past fortnight undone, and 
ordered the Sixth Corps to countermarch and rejoin the Army 
of the Shenandoah, 

General Sheridan had been called to Washington and left 
the anny on the 15th, taking with him a considerable force of 
cavalry. He got as far as Front Royal, when a courier overtook 
him with the translation of a dispatch taken from the Con- 
federate signal station on Three Mountains, purporting to be 
from Longstreet to' Early, which read : "Be ready to move as 
soon as my forces join you, and we will crush Sheridan." Gen- 
eral Sheridan was somewhat disturbed by this and immediately 
sent all the cavalry back to^ General Wright, ordering him to take 
command and be very vigilant. He wanted General Wright to 
have at his command every available man in case of an emer- 
gency, and continued his journey, confident that General Wright 
would be ecjual to the occasion if Early should attack. Sheridan 
arrived in Washington on the morning of the 17th, and after 



](j8 FIRST XEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

the interview with Ilalleck. left the Capital at noon, by special 
train, for Alartinshurg. From there to Winchester he proceeded 
on horseback, arriving at the latter place on the evening- of the 
1 8th. at seven o'clock. On the morning of the 19th an officer 
of the ])ickets reix:)rted artillery firing, but General Sheridan 
paid little attention to it. thinking the firing to be from a 
reconnaissance, which he knew was to be made. But at nine 
o'clock, after he had resumed his journey to the front, he was 
convinced, from the continuous discharges of artillery and its 
l)ecomong louder and more distinct, that a battle was in progress. 
In his report, page -,2, Vol. 43. Series i. Part i. Official Records, 
he says : "During my absence the enemy had gathered all his 
strength, and. in the night of the i8th and early on the 19th, 
moved silently from Fisher's Hill, through Strasburg, pushed a 
heavy turning column across the Shenadoah. on the road from 
Strasburg to Front Royal, and again re-crossed the river at 
Bowman's Ford, striking Crook, who held the left of our line, 
in flank and rear, so unexpectedly and forcibly as to drive in 
his outposts, invade his camp and turn his position." 

General I^arly in his report, page 561. Vol. 43. Series i. 
Part I, Official Records, gives a description of his movement: 
'To get around the enemy's left w^as a vers- difficult undertak- 
ing, however, as the river had to be crossed twice, and between 
the mountain and river, where the troops had to pass to the 
lower ford, was only a rugged pathway. I thought, however, 
the chances of success would l:>e greater from the fact that the 
enemy would not exi)ect a move in that direction, on account of 
the great difficulty attending it and the great strength of their 
position on that flank." 

Gordon. Ramseur and Pegram's divisions were sent by the 
l)atliway described by btarly. the movement commencing at 
eight o'clock on the evening of the 18th. Before daylight, on 
the H)th. l^arlx's flanking column was in position. Jnst as 
dawn was breaking it made the assault, suq:>rising and routing 
Croiik's bjglnh Cori>s. Rushing through their camps the col- 
umn struck the left and rear of the Nineteenth Corps, scattering 
the men and capturing their camps and the artillery. A division 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 1G9 

of the Nineteenth Corps was under arms before dawn, to make 
a reconnaissance, and the rest of the corps were just getting 
intO' line wdien the Confederates charged. These divisions of 
the Nineteenth Corps checked the advance o^f the enemy, but 
the turning cokimn kept up the flanking movement and attacks 
from the rear so' effectively that the corps was obliged to^ give 
way in the face of overwhelming numbers. At 'the beginning 
of the assault on the left, an attack was made on the right by 
Rosser's cavalry, and the Sixth Corps was supporting- the 
cavalry when the situation became almost desperate and the 
First and Third Divisions were drawn up in line of battle. 
Getty's Second Division was stationed some distance in front, 
protected by a slight breastwork of rails and earth, acting as 
rear guard with the cavalry, and holding the advancing enemy 
in check. The Nineteenth Corps was in the rear of the Sixth 
Corps, having been forced back. The Eighth Corps seemed to 
be dispersed, the only ones left at the front being a group of 
officers with a line of colors and the color gaiards, in the rear 
O'f Getty's division. The Confederates themselves were in a 
greatly disorganized condition, many of the men, and even 
officers, being scattered through the captured camps, plunder- 
ing the tents, and apparently lost to- all sense of discipline. 

Early claimed that had it not been for this, he would hax-e 
dispersed, if not captured, the Union army. Sheridan's arrival 
on the battlefield, between ten and eleven o'clock, restored con- 
fidence and order. The other two divisions of the Sixth Corps 
were moved up to Getty's position, and formed on his right. The 
Nineteenth Corps was placed on the right of the Sixth. While 
this line was being formed the men of the Eighth Corps were 
retracing their steps, and returning to the battlefield. As they 
came onto the field they were organized hastily into companies. 
Some of them had gone as far as Winchester before they saw 
Sheridan hurrying to the front, and almost tO' a man they 
turned back and followed him. It took some hours to get back 
the bulk O'f the corps and get them into' shape. Sheridan's 
words to them as he galloped past seemed to have roused a keen 
sense of the humiliation thev must labor under, unless they 



170 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

redeemed themselves. "Yon are going the wrong way. boys. 
The fighting is over yonder,'' pointing towards the sound of 
the guns. 

By the time the Sixth and Nineteenth Corps were moved into 
position, it was past mid-day. Early had been making great 
efforts to restore order in his lines and was partly successful. 
He ordered an advance and the assault was made on the Nine- 
teenth Corps and Wheaton's First Division of the Sixth Corps. 
Just before the advance was begun by the Confederates, Gen- 
eral Sheridan rode in front of his line of battle, from left to 
right, and was greeted with cheers and shouts of welcome by 
the men, many of whom now saw him for the first time since 
his return to the army. The appearance of their general greatly 
heartened the men, and was a powerful factor in the success 
achieved later in the day. The assault was delivered on, and 
easily repulsed by, the Nineteenth Corps, the enemy retiring 
after the first charge and seeking protection behind stone fences 
and other sheltering objects. 

General Sheridan was untiring in his efforts to restore the 
lines and make the disposition of the troops as effective as pos- 
sil)le. The Sixth Corps occupied the left of the infantry, the 
Nineteenth on the right, the Eighth in the rear as reserve, the 
two cavalrv divisions on the flanks. General ]\Territt on the left 
of the Sixth Corps, and General Custer on the right of the 
Nineteenth Corps. Some hours were consumed in making these 
dispositions and getting up the Eighth and Nineteenth Corps 
men, who had been forced back and had gotten far to the rear. 
By three o'clock these preparations had been completed. 

When General Sheridan received the translation of the Con- 
federates' dispatch he gave but scanty credence to it, but now 
he heard rumors of the approach of Longstreet, by the Front 
Royal pike, from various sources. Colonel Powell was watch- 
ing that road on the extreme left, and Sheridan sent a courier 
to him to find out if the rumors were true. It was nearly four 
o'clock l>efore his messenger returned from Colonel Powell, 
with the assurance that the rumors were false. Being satisfied 
«tn this point, General Slieridan ordered the advance, which was 



FIRS7^ NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 171 

made with great enthusiasm and alacrity. His plan of attack 
was the same as that used at the battle of the Oipequon, a left 
wheel, or swinging- movement of the right towards the left, to 
drive the enemy off the pike, which would be their line of retreat. 

The Jersey Brigade, with the rest O'f Wheaton's division, 
moved forward, and should have done sO' slowly, to allow the 
swinging movement opportunity tO' develop. The enemy had 
used the time since their repulse in making themselves more 
secure on their lines, using the stone fences, building breast- 
works O'f rails with earth covering, tree trunks and whatever 
would serve to build breastworks. The advance of the Union 
line was so^ steady and determined that the charge of a Con- 
federate brigade, against the right flank, caused but a temporary 
pause. ■ A countercharge by a brigade of the Nineteenth Corps 
cut off the flanking Confederates from their support. General 
Custer saw this opportunity, and swooped down upon them with 
the suddenness of a bird of prey, driving them back and cap- 
turing a number of them. The Union left, seeing the effect of 
the advancing right, surged forward, the enemy offering but 
feeble resistance, and finally breaking away from their line for 
the rear. The battle soon became a rout and a pursuit, the 
Confederates vieing with each other as to who would get to 
the rear the quickest. The Jersey Brigade kept on after the 
fleeing enemy, capturing a number of them, keeping up the pur- 
suit until they reached Cedar Creek. The only hard fighting 
occurred on the Nineteenth Corps front, where a murderous fire 
was delivered by the enemy before they were dislodged. 

Pond in his "Shenandoah Valley," page 238, says: "Grover, 
of the Nineteenth, and Wheaton, of the Sixth, on their fronts 
handsomely broke the enemy's line, while of the infantry and 
cavalry at the pike it is enough to say that they fought with 
the vigor they had exhibited throughout the battle. Custer on 
the right charged with his usual spirit." 

When Early made his attack, on the morning of the 19th of 
October, a heavy fog hung over the valley and greatly assisted 
him in his assault on the Eighth Corps, for it completely hid 
the assaultinof column from observation. The attack at first 



172 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

was S(j successful that 24 guns and caissons, a large number of 
amlxilances and wagons and over 1,400 prisoners were cap- 
tured. The latter were at once hurried to the rear and sent to 
Richmond. The guns, wagons and amlxilances were taken 
acnjss Cedar Creek, with the intention of sending them to the 
rear, but the pursuit was so close and persistent that they were 
all re-captured before they reached Fisher's Hill. The Union 
army captured 24 Confederate guns, and everything that be- 
longed to them, caissons, forges, wagons and ambulances, be- 
sides a large numl>er of other wagons. The pursuit was con- 
tinued by the infantry to Cedar Creek, capturing many 
prisoners. The cavalry continued the pursuit after the fleeing 
Confederates, and to them belongs the glory of re-ca]:)turing 
the Union guns and capturing the Confederate gims. wagons, 
etc. 

The loss of the Union arm)-, according to official returns. 
was 5,764. of which num1)er the Sixth Corps lost 2.215. Early's 
loss was somewhat over 3.000. Of these 1,860 were killed and 
wounded, the rest being captured by the Union forces. 

The loss in the Jersey Brigade in this Ijattle was: 





Kll.i.KU. 


Wounded. 


Missing. 




Regiments. 


Omccrs. 


Men. 


omccrs. 


Mcu. 


Officers. .Mcu. 


Total. 


Staff 


.... I 










I 


Fourth N. J 




I 




29 


4 


34 


Tenth N. J 




3 


2 


40 




43 


Fifteenth N. J., . 


I 


12 


7 


50 


15 


^5 



165 

The report of Captain Baldwin Hafty, of the Fourth Regi- 
meiu. page 167, Vol. 43, Part i. Series i, gives this description 
of the part taken by the Jersey Brigade: "On the mtM^ning of 
the T9th of October, the enemy commenced an attack on the 
extreme left of our lines. .\t the first alarm the Brigade was 
quickly out and under arms, and immediately afterwards re- 
ceived an order from Brigadier-General Wheaton, commanding 
the division, to move across the creek on our left, and form in 
line of Ixittle on a high hill on the opposite side of the stream, 
to support the Kighth Corps, which had been heavily attacked. 



fIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 173 

Before we could execute the movement the order was counter- 
manded and we re-crossed the creek and took up position a con- 
siderable distance tO' the rear and left of our former camp. The 
line was formed in the following order: Fourth New Jersey oil 
the right, Tenth New Jersey on the centre, and the Fifteenth 
New Jersey on the left. We had been in line but a short time 
when some of the troops on our right, supporting batteries, be- 
gan to give way in considerable disorder, deserting the guns 
which they had been placed there tOi protect. Colonel Penrose 
immediately changed front to rear with his brigade and moved 
up to the support of the batteries. It was at this time that he 
was wounded and obliged to leave the field. The command 
then devolved upon Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell, who was soon 
after wounded, and the gallant Major Boeman, commanding 
the Tenth New Jersev __Vt)lunteers, killed, while endeavoring to 
save a piece of artillery which had been captured by the enemy. 
At this time we received an order from Brigadier-General 
Wheaton to move tO' the rear by right of battalions. We fell 
back slowly and took up position on a crest about 300 yards to 
the rear of our former position. A few moments after we had 
taken up position on the crest spoken of, we were ordered to 
move still further to the rear, which we did, and took up a 
line about 2,000 yards beyond. After we had re-formed our 
lines, the order to- continue our movement to the rear was re- 
ceived. We fell back in good order about two miles, when we 
were faced about audi advanced a mile. We formed in line in 
a woods to the right of the Third Division, and with the One 
Hundred and Twenty-First New York (Volunteers) formed 
second line of our corps, and in rear of a portion of the division. 
"We remained in this position until three o'clock in the after- 
noon. At that time we moved forward under a heavy fire of 
artillery and musketry and gained a crest about 400 yards in 
advance of the woods, driving the enemy in disorder from it. 
The Brigade halted under the crest for nearly half an hour, 
owing to the troops on the left not coming up. While in this 
position we were subject to a most galling fire from artillery 
and musketry. As soon as the troops on our left commenced 
to advance, or rather prepared to advance, our Brigade, to- 
12 F B 



174 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

gether with the Second Brigade, was pushed forward with 
alacrity, leaving the troops on our right and left far in the rear 
The enemy broke in confusion and scattered in all directions. 
We did not allow them time to re-form, but followed them so 
closely that they were able to make but trifling resistance. At 
dark the enemv were driven from the field, and we occupied the 
camps we had been forced to abandon in the morning. Out of 
28 officers and 598 enlisted men, which we took in the action, 
we lost in killed, wounded and missing, 11 officers and 154 en- 
listed men." 

In taking a survey of the different phases of the battle of 
Cedar Creek, while the greatest meed of praise should be given 
to General Sheridan, as was done by the President, Congress and 
the North generally, it should not be overlooked that the veterans 
of the Potomac Army were the ones who actually prevented a 
disastrous rout, and possibly the destruction of the Army of the 
Shenandoah. The return of the Sixth Corps to that army was 
the greatest saving factor, and it was ably supported by Torbert 
and his splendid cavalry corps. Had the "Old Sixth" continued 
its journey to Washington, the laurels would not have been so 
plentifully bestowed on Sheridan. 

The night of the battle was passed by Early, and what was left 
of his army, in the intrenchments at Fisher's Hill, and next day 
found him at New Market, he having started with hfs followers 
long l)efore dawn, leaving his cavalry at Fisher's Hill to check 
pursuit and protect his rear. 

The Union army remained at Cedar Creek for about three 
weeks, when General Sheridan deemed Kernstown a more suit- 
able camping ground and moved the anny to that point. This 
was on November 9th, and next day skirmishing and cavalry 
maneuvers indicated a movement of some kind on the part 
of the enemy. A strong skirmish line from the Sixth Corps was 
sent out to support the cavalry, the Jersey Brigade taking its 
share of the work. These diversions of the enemy were kept up 
till the 1 2th, when Torbert, getting his two divisions into shape, 
engaged the enemy's cavalry and gave them a good drubbing, 
capturing two pieces of artillery, wagons and a number of 
prisoners. He found out, also, that Early had a very respectable 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 175 

infantry force with him. This was the 'last active field service 
the Jerseymen were called on to perform in the Valley. General 
Grant, believing that the climax was rapidly approaching, as did 
all others, wanted the Sixth Corps with him in the Army of the 
Potomac. 

It left Kernstown, a division at a time, until on December 
9th the last division was on its way tO' Petersburg, via Washing- 
ton. In General Sheridan's report of the Shenandoah campaign, 
Oifficial Records, page 54, Vol. 43, Series i, Part i, is this pas- 
sage concerning the battle of Cedar Creek: 

"This battle practically ended the campaign in the Shenan- 
doah Valley. When it opened we found our enemy boastful and 
confident, unwilling to acknowledge that the soldiers of the 
Union were their equal in courage and manliness ; when it closed 
with Cedar Creek, this impression had been removed from his 
mind, and gave place to good sense and a strong desire to quit 
fighting. The very best troops of the Confederacy had not only 
been defeated, but had been routed in successive engagements, 
imtil their spirit and esprit were destroyed." 



17.3 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



Fourth Year. 



Under Penrose. 

petersburg five forks appomattox court house re- 
view in washington home. 

Petersburg and Richmond. 

CZrom the 9tli of December. 1864. to the 5th of February. 1865. 
' the First Xew Jersey Brigade rested quietly, being called 
upon. only to supply its quota for picket and duty in the trenches. 
The position assigned to the Sixth Corps in front of Peters- 
l)urg was the left of the army, cavalry being stationed to g^iard 
the flank. Dut\" in the trenches was arduous and attended with 
the additii^nal danger of sickness from exposure in damp sur- 
roundings, without exercise.. 

The usual camp routine was established, winter quarters built 
and the Jerseymen disposed themselves to pass another winter 
in the field. The time was passed, when not on duty, in amuse- 
ments of different kinds, but the most absorbing was the dis- 
cussion of the situation. Some thought that the end of the 
great struggle would come right there, others that Lee would 
abandon Richmond and try to join Johnston. All could see the 
waning strength of the enemy and knew that the final struggle 
was not far off. 

The ranks of the Brigade began to fill with recruits and con- 
valescents returning from the hospitals. The Fortieth Regi- 
ment. Xew Jersey X'olunteefs, was attached to the Brigade, the 
regiment arriving in camp by comi)anies. Iieing forwarded to the 
front from Trenton, as soon as a companv was completed and 
mustered. Tlie first company arrived in camp January 12th. 
the others coming iu alK)ut a week or ten days apart until March 
iJth. when the last company arrived. They were attached to 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. Ill 

the Fourth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers, until six com- 
panies had arrived, when they assumed regimental autonomy, 
and were commanded by Colonel S. G. Gilkyson. 

On February 5th, 1865, the First Division, Sixth Corps, 
marched tO' Hatcher's Run, about ten miles west and south o£ 
Petersburg, to support the Fifth Corps under General Warren, 
in an attempt to cut the Richmond and Danville and the Weldon 
Railroads, which were still held by the Confederates, and sup- 
plied their army with food and forage. The Fifth Corps was 
preceded by General Gregg's division of cavalry, which moved 
out on the Boydtoii plank-road, by which wagon trains were 
continually passing to and from the nearest railroad station, 
carrying supplies to the besieged Confederates. Two^ divisions 
of the Second Corps, now commanded by General A. A. Humph- 
rey, formerly General Meade's chief of staff, followed the 
Fifth Corps, but were held in reserve and were posted several 
miles in the rear. Gordon's and Hill's Corps were the troops 
of the enemy that confronted Warren. He crossed Hatcher's 
Run at a place called Vaughan's Crossing, and disposed his 
troops to give immediate support to^ Gregg's cavalry. At five 
o'clock in the evening-, the enemy attacked the Second Coirps 
line, which had been intrenched as soon as they took position, 
but a fierce and deadly artillery fire forced them back into the 
woods from which they had emerged. They, however, replied 
with artillery and kept up a very steady fire for some time. It 
was at this time that the First Division of the Sixth Corps was 
brought tO' the front and took position on the right of the Second 
Corps. The night of the 5th of February was passed by the 
Jerseymen with great discomfort and no sleep. The winter had 
been unusually severe, the cold being O'f more than ordinary 
intensity and duration. In leaving their little log and canvas 
houses they left behind all comfort and warmth in exchange for 
exposure and intense cold. 

An hour or so after midday, General Warren started on a 
reconnaissance with two divisions of his corps, Crawford's and 
Ayres', sending General Gregg off to the left to guard that flank, 
his First Division being held in reserve, and as support to Gen- 



178 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

eral Gregg-. When Gregg had gone some distance along the 
Vaughan road and was approaching Gravelly Run, he was at- 
tacked bv part of Pegram's division of Gordon's corps, but with 
the assistance of the First Division, Fifth Corps, under General 
Grifiin, he drove them back. Crawford's division was now at- 
tacked by part of the same force. The enemy was repulsed and 
driven back until they were re-enforced by another division of 
Gk)rdon's corps, which came into the fight on the left of the 
Union line and caused some confusion. Two brigades of Ayres' 
First Division of the Fifth Corps, and a brigade of Griffin's 
division now came onto the field to support Crawford. Almost 
at the same time a division of Confederates, under Mahone, re- 
enforced the enemy, who, upon completing their line, advanced, 
and charging impetuously, smashed the Union line. A large pro- 
portion of the Fifth Corps were new recruits and had seen but 
little active service. The effect of the Confederate charge upon 
these men was disastrous, for they were stampeded and rushed 
wildly for the rear, utterly regardless of the efforts of their 
officers and the veterans in the ranks to check them. Now the 
Second Brigade of the First Division, Sixth Corps, came into the 
fight, and deployed into line of battle. They checked the advance 
of the enemy and served as a rallying point for those of the Fifth 
Corps who had not gone too far to the rear. 

The Confederates finding the intrenchments too strong and 
fully manned to attack successfully with the force they had. 
withdrew. 

The new line placed the Second Corps on the left of the army, 
while the Sixth Corps occupied positions on the right of the 
Second Corps. 

Picket affairs were frequent during the winter, some of them 
of rather serious proportions, but no important move was made 
until towards the end of March. On the 25th, very early in the 
morning, in fact while yet dark, the intrenchments and forts in 
front of the Ninth Corps were attacked and captured by General 
Gordon. Fort Steadman and three intrenched batteries were 
captured by the enemy and their advance guard penetrated as 
far inside the Union line as the military telegraph and railroad 
lines, but by ten o'clock they had been driven back, losing in the 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 179 

fight 2,000 prisoners and nine battle-flags. At the first onset 
the noise of the battle awakened the Second and Sixth Corps. 
They were quickly fonned, ready to gO' to the relief of the 
Ninth Corps. 

By order of General Parke, commanding the Ninth Corps, 
who was in command of the army while General Meade was at 
City Point, the First Division of the Sixth Corps was moved 
out ^t once to render assistance where it was required. By the 
time it arrived on the field the enemy was being driven back. 
At I P. M. the division returned to camp. 

Later in the day, General Wright, acting under a general 
order issued a day or two previously, formed the Sixth Corps 
for attack. The object was to capture the enemy's line of 
intrenched pickets. The advance was spirited and overwhelm- 
ing, and the intrenched picket line was carried, capturing 550 
prisoners. The losses in the Sixth Corps were about 400 killed, 
wounded and missing. The Confederate picket line was retained 
and successfully held by the Jerseymen and the other brigades 
in the face of strong and repeated efforts on the part of the 
enemy to re-capture them. It was now so evident to all that 
the end of the great rebellion was at hand that the men were 
speculating upon the time of their departure for home. The 
newspapers had kept them fully informed about the magnificent 
campaign made by General Sherman's army, and the cutting in 
two of the "Confederacy." They discussed the probable line of 
retreat of Lee's army, should he be able to get away without an 
overwhelming battle around Richmond. 

The battles of Hatcher's Run and Five Forks had been fought 
by the Confederates in an attempt tO' retain control of the only 
railroads that could be used to transport their supplies, and had 
been beaten in both. 

The Jerseymen were fit and prepared for any emergency, 
either fighting or rapid marching in pursuit of a retreating foe, 
and were not surprised when both came. On the night of April 
ist, General Meade, at a council of his commanding generals, 
asked General Wright if he thought the Sixth Corps could cap- 
ture the Confederate main line of defense. The quick response 
of General Wrigfht was a manifestation O'f the unswerving con- 



180 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

rtdence in his men. an enthusiastic tribute of praise to the corps 
he commanded. His answer. "The Sixth Corps will go through 
them like a knife." demonstrated his absolute reliance upon their 
ability and willingness to execute any order given them. Gen- 
eral Meade then issued orders to attack early on the 2d, making 
the enemy's earthworks on the left of the Sixth Corps its ob- 
jective. The Ninth Corps was ordered to attack the earthworks 
on its front at the same time. 

Some time before daylight the men were gotten into line, a 
rather difficult undertaking on account of the intense darkness 
and the necessity of absolute quiet. The First New Jersey Bri- 
gade was formed with the Fortieth Regiment in the first line, 
the Fourth Regiment, second line; the Tenth Regiment, third 
line, and the Fifteenth Regiment, fourth line. At the first streak 
of light in the east, the signal, two guns fired in quick succession 
from Fort Fisher, was given to commence the attack. The 
enemy, on the lookout for some such demonstration, met the 
onslaught with a destructive fire of musketry, their batteries 
cjpening at once. The Jerseymen were not deterred, though 
some little delay was caused by the Fortieth Regiment being 
checked in its advance. The gallant Fourth Regiment pushing- 
through them, followed by the Tenth and Fifteenth, worked 
their way through the obstructions and in a gallant charge cap- 
tured the works, driving- the enemy rai)idl}' to the rear. While 
forming for the attack, the movement was nearly betrayed to 
the enemy by our pickets opening fire u\K>n the enemy's pickets. 

The firing was suppressed by the energetic exertions of the 
officers in command, though the task was a difficult one, owing 
to the darkness not i^ermitting signs to be seen and the necessity 
of quietness preventing the officers from giving orders in loud 
tones. While the Brigade w^as advancing on the earthworks, 
firing was commenced in the rear of the Brigade, and it was 
only after rei>eated orders were sent back that tlie firing was 
stopped. 

The Confederate main line of defense was carried handsomely 
on the fronts of both corps. The advantage gained by General 
\\'right's capture of the enemy's intrenched picket line, three 
days before, was now demonstrated and fully appreciated, since 



FIRST NEJV JERSEY BRIGADE. 181 

it reduced the distance to be traversed between the Union and 
Confederate lines to less than 150 yards. 

The Confederates retreated towards Hatcher's Run, and were 
closely followed by the Sixth Corps. After pursuing the re- 
treating eneni}' about four miles the advance guards of the 
Second and Fifth Corps were met. Finding the field occupied 
by Union troops, General Wright countermarched and ad- 
vanced towards Petersburg'. The Second Brigade of the First 
Division, Sixth Corps, had been ordered to remain in the cap- 
tured works to prevent their re-capture. They were also to 
support a strong skirmish line from the Second Division, which 
had been left when the corps commenced the pursuit. During 
the absence of the corps, a body of about 600 Confederates 
re-captured two of the intrenched batteries from which they had 
been driven early in the morning, and turned the guns upon the 
Second Brigade. At the same time a body of about the same 
size issued from the woods on the left of the Brigade, threaten- 
ing that tiank. The situation was becoming difficult for the 
Second Brigade, when fortunately a division of the Twenty- 
Fourth Corps came ontO' the field and relieved them. 

A little before ten o'clock, the corps returned from the pur- 
suit, the Second Brigade rejoining the First Division, and the 
skirmish line returning to its division. The advance towards 
Petersburg was then resumed, the First Brigade (Jersey Bri- 
gade) being posted on the left of the Second Division. In this 
order the corps moved forward about three miles, exposed to a 
continuous artillery fire both in front and flank, until within 
two miles of Petersburg, when it halted on the South Side Rail- 
road. At five o'clock the First Division was formed in two 
lines, taking position on the left of a division of the Second 
Corps, with orders to intrench. The day had been a very trying- 
one. Roused at 3 A. M., formed in line with difficulty, on ac- 
count of the darkness, the men stood in line awaiting the signal 
to advance, which was given at half-past four. The dawn re- 
vealed the advance to the enemy, who opened fire at once. The 
difficulty of getting a line intact across even the short space to 
be traversed, was greatly increased by the defensive works of 
the Confederate lines. Their front was protected by two lines 



182 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

of abattis and slashings, tliat is. trees cut partly through and 
felled in such a way that they crossed and interlaced, the butts 
l)eing held by the uncut fibre, making it extremely difficult to 
remove them. The number of pioneers in each brigade had 
been increased, and an extra supply of axes furnished. When 
the Union lines reached the abattis, they found but few open- 
ings, the efforts of the pioneers being greatly hampered by the 
hot fire of artillery and musketry. The Union lines became dis- 
ordered, the men of the different organizations somewhat mingled 
and regiments overlapping. Notwithstanding all this, they never 
wavered, but pressed forw^ard and broke over the intrench- 
ments, driving the Confederates back in confusion. The w^orks 
with their intrenched batteries were captured for a mile and a 
half along the Sixth Corps front, and the men had sustained 
their general's confidence in them and their own reputation as 
strong and stubborn fighters. 

The loss of the Brigade in this battle was 75, one officer and 
four men killed, six officers and 62 men wounded, and two men 
missing. 

During the night of the 2d and 3d of April the Confederates 
evacuated Petersburg, retiring to the vicinity of Richmond. 
While they were quietly withdrawing from Petersburg, prep- 
arations were making in the Union lines for a vigorous assault 
on their inner line of intrenchments at daylight. Soon after 
dawn, the men being in line waiting for the signal to advance, 
a white flag was displayed by the people of the town. The 
mayor came out to the picket line, surrendering the town, and 
told Major Butterfield, to whom he made the surrender, that the 
commanders of the other corps had been notified. As the Ninth 
Corps was nearest to Petersburg, they w^ere the first to know 
the fact and the Second Brigade, First Division, Sixth Corps, 
w^as the first body of Union troops to enter the place, this 
brigade having been sent the evening before to report to General 
Parke, commanding the Ninth Corps. Colonel Hamblin. com- 
manding the Second Brigade of the Sixth Corps, led his men 
into the town, and in this way the honor of first entering Peters- 
burg fell to the "Old Sixth." 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 183 

It now became known that the Confederates had abandoned 
their Capital and were making rapid marches towards Danville. 
The pursuit was commenced immediately, the troops, in column^ 
pushing- on towards Amelia Court House. At eight o'clock in 
the morning of April 3d, the Second Division of the Sixth Corps 
was in full swing towards Burkeville. The First Division being 
second in line on this day, took up the line of march at nine 
o'clock, the Third Division following. 

The corps marched ten miles and camped near the South Side 
Railroad, three miles from Sutherland Station. 

The work of the day before, covering eighteen hours, had 
exhausted the men greatly, and the march on the 3d was made 
under difficult conditions. However, a night's rest put the men 
in shape to renew the pursuit the next morning, April 4th, at 
five o'clock. The corps marched till eight o'clock when a halt 
was made to rest the troops and to clear the road for the Fifth 
Corps wagon train. 

At two o'clock the march was resumed and continued till 
dark, the corps camping near Winticomack Creek. At six 
o'clock on the morning of the 5th, the pursuit was continued, and 
the corps marched ten miles, when a halt was made to issue 
rations. The First Jersey Brigade was detached from the 
corps to guard the trains of the Second and Fifth Corps. By 
this order the Jersey Brigade was deprived of any participation 
in the last battle of any importance of the war at Sailor's Creek, 
when the Sixth Corps, with part of a division of the Second 
Corps and Sheridan's cavalry, made a brilliant charge, capturing 
nearly all of the enemy's troops in its front, consisting of two 
divisions of E well's corps and the marine brigade, the latter 
fighting stubbornly against overwhelming numbers after the 
rest of the Confederate troops had ceased fighting. 

Lieutenant-General Ewell and Major-General Custis Lee, with 
about 10,000 men and eight battle-flags, fell into the hands of 
the gallant old Sixth Corps. 

General Wheaton, commanding the First Division of the Sixth 
Corps, in his report, page 915, Vol. 46, Part i, Series i, says: 
"The troops felt the immense importance of success in this the 



184 FIRST Xnir JERSEY BRIGADE. 

l.'Lst battle fought by Lee s Army of Xorthern \'ii-g-inia, and 
their marching and fighting was all that could be wished." 

On the 7th of April, the Jersey Brigade rejoined the First 
I)i\ision and took part in the pursuit of Lee's army. Sometimes 
the roads were abandoned and the troops took to the fields, 
marching across country, taking the shortest route to come up 
with the enemy. 

The marching was rapid and continued till 9 P. ^L, when 
camp was made about a mile west of the Appomattox River. At 
seven o'clock in the morning of the 8th, the men were again on 
the march towards Xew Store. The march was tedious and 
wearisome, being kept up until nine o'clock in the evening, when 
having reached a point two miles west of Xew Store, the men 
were allowed to go into camp. At five o'clock in the morning 
of the 9th, the Jerseymen were again moving forward towards 
Appomattox Court House. After marching four miles, the 
corps was halted to let the Second Corps move out of camp. 
The march was resumed at 1 1 o'cl6ck and continued without 
halt till one o'clock, when the corps was massed four miles from 
Appomattox Court House, resting and awaiting the outcome of 
a conference between Generals Grant and Lee. The time hung 
heavy on the hands of the men of the Sixth Corps, for it was 
not until five o'clock in the evening that news of Lee's surrender 
came to them. 

In General Wheaton's reix)rt, page 916, A ol. 46, Part i, 
Series — , he says: *'At five o'clock received news of the uncon- 
ditional surrender of Lee's army, which caused the wildest en- 
thusiasm aiul heartfelt joy among the troops." 

The corps went into camp, with the relief that follows strained 
nerves and muscles. Among the Jerseymen but few had any 
other thought than that they would soon be on the road home. 
Much speculation was indulged in as to the disposal of the cap- 
tured Confederates, and when they heard all the particulars of 
the surrender, and that the Confederate troops were paroled 
prisoners until exchanged, there arose a feeling of distrust 
among some, but the majority felt that their great general had 
made no wrong mo\c. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 185 

Every man felt a pardonable pride in having- assisted so suc- 
cessfully in terminating- the destructive and desolating war. The 
fighting was over, the strategic marches finished and all that 
they could now be called upon to do was to help in cleaning up 
the disrupted Confederacy. 

The four years of drilling, marching and fighting had come 
tO' a glorious end. and the men, tired of the soldier life, vearned 
for home and loved ones. 

A twoi days' rest in camp put the men in trim for the home- 
ward march. At six o'clock on the morning of the i ith of April, 
the corps moved back toward Burkeville, by way of New Store 
and Curdsville. camping at Little Willis' River. At six o'clock 
in the morning of the 12th, the corps resumed its march, arriv- 
ing at Sandy River at four o'clock in the afternoon, when camp 
was made. On the 13th the corps continued its march towards 
j Burkeville Juction on the South Side Railroad, arriving in the 
j evening. It remained encamped here until the 23d, when it 
moved to Keysville, in the direction of Danville, where it was 
ordered to- proceed. It was 100 miles from Burkeville to Dan- 
ville, and the march was accomplished in a little more than four 
days, going by way of Clark's Ferry, Halifax Court House and 
Brooklyn, arriving at Danville on the 27th. When the Sixth 
Corps had come intO' the vicinity of Danville, the place was sur- 
rendered, with all the war material and machinery for making- 
fire-arms, railroad stock and commissary stores. 

The First Division was distributed along the railroad from 
Burkeville to- Sutherland Station near Petersburg. The Jersey 
Brigade was stationed at Sutherland, being distributed by com- 
panies along- the road west to Wilson's station. 

On the 1 6th of May camp was broken up and the First Di- 
vision was embarked on cars and taken to Manchester, arriving 
there on the 17th and going into camp near the town. It took 
three days to move the camp, and the whole corps was once more 
intact. 

On the 24th. the corps marched through Richmond, being re- 
viewed by General Halleck. After the review the corps con- 
,j^ tinned its march to Hanover Court House, where it camped for 
■ the night. 



180 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

The destination of the corps was Washington, and the march 
Avas resumed on the morning of the 25th, via Fredericksburg, 
getting as far as Wolf Run Shoals on the 31st. The route was 
taken up on June ist in leisurely way, and on the 2d the Sixth 
Corps arrived at Hall's Hill, near Ball's Cross Roads, where it 
remained encamped till June 30th. 

On the 20th of June the First Division of the Sixth Corps was 
reorganized and was designated the First Division, Provisional 
Corps. 

An extract from General Meade's report, page 605, Vol. 46. 
Part I, Series i, will show the estimation the old Sixth Corps 
held in the minds of its commanders: ''It has been impossible in 
the foregoing brief outline of operations to do full justice to the 
several corps engaged. At the same time I would call attention 
to the gallant assault on the 2d instant by the Sixth Corps — in 
my judgement, the decisive movement of the campaign, to the 
successful attack of the Sixth Corps at Sailor's Creek." And 
stating in general terms the gallant conduct of the whole army, 
he says : ''Nothing could exceed the cheerfulness with which all 
submitted to the fatigue and privations to secure the coveted 
prize, the capture of the Army of Northern Virginia." 

Again, on the presentation of captured colors, page 908, Vol. 
46, Part I, Series i : 

"Officers and soldiers of the Sixth Corps, I thank you very 
much for these numerous proofs of your valor, captured during 
the recent campaign. I do not wish to make any invidious dis- 
tinction between your own and other corps of this army. They 
performetl with valor and courage the part assigned to them. 
But candor compels one to say that in my opinion, the decisive 
movement of this campaign, which resulted in the capture of the 
Army of Northern Virginia, was the gallant and successful as- 
sault of the Sixth Corps on the morning of April 2d. It was 
with much pleasure I received a dispatch from your commander 
assuring me his confidence in your courage was so great that 
he felt confident of his ability to break through the enemy's lines. 
I finally ordered the charge to be made at four o'clock on the 
morning of the 2d, and it was with still greater satisfaction that 
a few hours afterward I had the pleasure of transmitting a 




COLONEL BALDY HUFTY, 
Fourth X. L Vols. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 187 

dispatch to the General-in-Chief, telhng him the confidence of 
your brave commander had been fully borne out. 

"To you, brave men, I return the thanks of the country and 
of the army. To each of you a furlough of thirty days will be 
granted to enable you to present these proofs of your valor to 
the War Department. Let us all hope that the work upon which 
we have been engaged for nearly four years is over, that the 
South will return to its allegiance, and that our beloved flag will 
once more float over a peaceful and undivided country, extending 
from the Atlantic to the Pacific and from the St. Lawrence to 
the Gulf of Mexico." 

On the 15th of April, General Frank Wheaton, commanding 
the First Division, sent to headquarters. Sixth Corps, six battle- 
flags, two of which were captured by members of the Jersey 
Brigade — battle-flag of the Forty-sixth North Carolina Regi- 
ment, taken by Lieutenant Brant, of the First Battalion, New 
Jersey Volunteers ; battle-flag, name of regiment unknown, taken 
by Private Frank Fesq, Fortieth Regiment, New Jersey Vol- 
unteers. 

General Wheaton's report contains the names of the following 
officers of the First New Jersey Brigade recommended for pro- 
motion for gallant conduct and conspicuous braveiy in the ardu- 
ous duties of the campaign : 
First Battalion — 

First Lieutenant William Brant to be Captain by brevet. 
Fourth Regiment — 

Lieutenant-Colonel Baldwin Hufty to be Colonel. 

Brevet Major William McElhany to be Lieutenant-Colonel by 
brevet. 

Captain Joseph R. Wills to be Major by brevet. 

First Lieutenant W. L Ackley to be Captain by brevet. 

First Lieutenant E. R. Howard to be Captain by brevet. 
Tenth Regiment — • 

Major James N. McNeely to be Lieutenant-Colonel. 

Captain John Wilson to be Major by brevet. 
Fifteenth Regiment — 

Major Ebenezer Davis, to be Lieutenant-Colonel. 

Brevet Major C. R. Paul to be Lieutenant-Colonel by brevet. 



188 1-IRSr SEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

Captain J. Penrose, to l^e ]\Iajor by brevet. 
Captain J. P. Crater to be Major by brevet. 
Captain Dayton E. Flint to be Major by brevet. 
Captain James H. Conings to be Major by brevet. 
First Lieutenant J. R. McCauley to be Captain by brevet. 
First Lieutenant H. Edward Lewis to be Major l)y brevet. 
Fortieth Regiment — 

Major J. Augustus Fay to be Lieutenant-Colonel. 
Captain diaries E. Grant to be Major by brevet. 
Captain A. J. Mandeville to be Major by brevet. 
Captain Ellwood Lippincott to be Major by brex'et. 
Captain John W. Goodenough to be Captain l)y brevet. 
First Lieutenant Jonathan Maguire to be Captain by brevet. 
First Lieutenant Samuel W. Downs to l^e Captain by brevet- 
First Lieutenant George W. Breen to be Captain by brevet. 
Second Lieutenant James Phillips to be First Lieutenant by 
brevet. 

Homeward AIarcti. 

The Sixth Corps arrived at Hall's Hill on June 2d and en- 
camped there. Hall's Hill is not far from Munson's Hill, so well 
remembered by the Jerseymen, and but a few miles from \\'ash- 
ington. General Wright, knowing- that the fame of the corps 
would attract many visitors from Washington, was desirous that 
the camp should be made as attractive as possible, consistent with 
the regulations. To that end he liad the companv streets and 
parade thoroughly jioliced and the tents pitched in perfect align- 
ment. He also ordered the tents to be raised eighteen inches 
from the ground, w hich was somewhat of a problem for even the 
old campaigners, since neither tools nor material were provided. 
However, the resourceful old veterans soon surmounted the 
difficulty. The camp being finished, the men were kept busy 
making preparations for the march to Wasliington. to be re- 
viewed. The Sixth Corps having had the duty of guarding the 
government property during the months of April and May after 
Lee's surrender, were not in time to participate in the grand 
review of the two armies on the 22(\ and 23d of Ma v. at which 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 189 

time the Army of the Potomac and the cavahy corps were 
received by the President and Lieiitenant-General on one day, 
and the army under General Sherman the next day. 

On June 4th, the quartermasters of regiments were notified 
from headquarters to make requisition for such articles of cloth- 
ing and equipment as would be necessary to make the troops fit 
for inspection and in perfect trim. Coats, blouses, pants, shoes, 
socks, caps, corps badges and white gloves were included in these 
requisitions and were issued at once. 

On June 5th, an order was read at dress parade giving the 
Jerseymen the opportunity to enlist in the Regular Army. 

About this time a depot of the Sanitary Commission was estab- 
lished in the immediate neighborhood of the camp of the Jersey 
Brigade, so that the men were enabled to provide themselves with 
such necessary articles as combs, hair and shoe brushes, needles 
and thread, pins, letter paper and envelopes and a few extras for 
the mess. This admirable institution, after a career of usefulness 
of four years' duration, was soon to be discontinued. It had fed 
thousands of troops going to the front and returning, supplied 
the sick with the kind O'f food necessary for invalids, furnished 
the camps in the field with reading matter and thousands of small 
articles necessary to the comfort of the men, which were not 
readily obtainable in any other way. 

On June 6th, the following order was read at dress parade : 

General Order No. 19. 

In accordance with instructions from headquarters, Army of the Potomac, 
this corps will be passed in review through Washington city on Thursday, 
the 8th inst., in the following order: First, the Major-General commanding, 
staff and escort; second, First Division, Brevet Major-General Wheaton com- 
manding; third. Second Division, Brevet Major-General Getty commanding; 
fourth, Third Division, Brevet Major-General Ricketts commanding; fifth, 
Artillery Brigade, Brevet Major Cowan commanding; sixth, detachment 
Fiftieth New York Engineers, Brevet Major Van Brocklin commanding, with 
pontoon equipage in the order specified. 

The troops will move from their camps at 4 A. M. of that day, and, cross- 
ing Long Bridge and proceeding up Maryland Avenue, will be massed with 
the head of column on Pennsylvania Avenue, at the foot of the Capitol 
grounds. At 9 A. M. the column will be put in motion along Pennsylvania 
Avenue, taking wheeling distance by head of column, and, passing the review- 
ing stand in front of the President's house, will return to the camps by way of 
Aqueduct Bridge. 

13 F B 



190/ FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

On massing with the head of the column at the foot of the Capitol grounds, 
as above directed, the formation of the infantry column will be by companies, 
equalized for each regiment and not exceeding twenty files. When the com- 
pany front exceeds this the formation will be by platoons. The artillery 
will move with battery front, and the pontoon train as may be directed by its 
commander. Six ambulances will follow each brigade, three abreast. 

On starting from the Capitol the troops will march with cadenced step to 
Seventeenth Street, and arms will be carried at right shoulder shift from the 
Capitol to the State Department and thence at shoulder past the reviewing 
stand to Seventeenth Street. All commissioned officers will salute, and divi- 
sion and brigade commanders, after passing, will turn out and join the review- 
ing officer while their commands are passing. Brigade bands, after passing 
the reviewing stand, will be turned out to the right and continue playing until 
the brigade to which they belong has passed. 

The corps flag will be placed at a point six paces before reaching the re- 
viewing stand, to indicate the place at which officers and flags are to salute. 
As the reviewing stand will be on the left of the column the guide of the 
column will be on the left. All unarmed men and those unable to make the 
march will be left behind as camp guards. The troops will move without 
knapsacks and w'ith one day's rations in their haversacks. 

By order of Major-General Wright. 

June 7th was passed in making preparations for tlie review. 
The men cleaned and burnished their arms and accouterments 
and prepared the one day's rations they were to carry with them. 
Inspection was held and everything" put in shape for the event 
of the morrow. 

At 2 A M. of the 8th, the reveille was sounded and at 4 A. M. 
the column was formed and the march to the Long Bridge over 
llie Potomac was commenced. The men realizing that the last 
function of the corps was in progress, stepped out jauntily. The 
head of the column arrived at the Capitol grounds at about seven 
o'clock, and the fonnation for the march up Pennsylvania Ave- 
nue was made. 

The directions for forming column contained in General 
Wright's order were strictly followed. Companies were equal- 
\7.Q(\ so as to make them all the same size and twenty files front. 
The men were spick-and-span, arms bright and gleaming, and as 
the column moved forward, the splendid marching and' steady 
lines made a great impression on the throngs that had gathered 
tt) see the famous corps. 

The following is an extract from the Washington letter to the 
New York Times of June 9th, 1865 • 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 191 

"The last of the veterans have been reviewed. The war-worn 
and battle-scarred Sixth Army Corps to-day marched through 
Washington and exhibited its tattered banners and admirable 
organization to thousands of spectators. The pageant was only 
less important that that of two weeks ago because less in size, 
but there were hundreds of eager eyes that gazed with satisfac- 
tion upon the battalions, remembering that not quite a year ago 
it was the Sixth Corps which held the enemy at bay before 
Washington, and drove liimi defeated from the very suburbs of 
the city. 

"So the presence of this body of brave men quickened the 
interest of a certain class of Washington's own people, who 
have, perhaps, too little of the patriotic fervor of the cause, but 
who still do not foTget the value of the service rendered, real 
estate being worth full as much now as it was when Brecken- 
ridge and Early pitched their tents on the borders of the district. 

"The dusty veterans of the Sixth Corps have a proud record. 
The colors are far too small for the inscription of the names of 
all their battles, and there are hundreds of officers and men who 
have been under fire a round hundred times. 

"The term 'Sheridan's heavy cavalry,' was applied to the Sixth 
Corps by someone who had a singularly correct idea of its sig- 
nificance, for the most brilliant victories of the Valley were those 
in which the 'heavy cavalry' came vigorously to the support of 
the light cavalry, and which, on the 19th of October, under the 
inspiring presence of Sheridan himself, wrested victory from 
the very jaws of defeat, and which again in the final rout of Lee, 
overhauled, defeated and captured the rear guard of Ewell, and 
sent to the rear 10,000 prisoners, innumerable flags and can- 
non and half a score of major-generals. So if if the Sixth 
Corps marched to-day with a vigorous step and proud spirit, 
they were entitled to do so by all that goes to make valiant and 
victorious soldiers. 

"At precisely 9:30 o'clock, Major-General Wright and staff, 
with the Sixth Corps flag floating gaily in the breeze, turned 
the corner of Fifteenth Street and entered the avenue in front 
of the President's house. Following, at a brief interval, came 
Brevet Major-General Frank Wheaton, commanding the First 



10-2 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

Division, a soldier whose name is inseparably connected with the 
s^allant achievements of the Sixth Corps. The First Brigade of 
tile division is led by Brevet Brigadier-General Penrose, a grad- 
uate of the New Jersey Heavy Artillery,* which he leads, and in 
his brigade are battalions of the First, Second, Third and Fourth 
Xew Jersey Regiments, once composing the brigade led by the 
gallant Kearny. From this brigade he reluctantly retired to take 
command of the First Division of the Third Corps, under 
Heintzelman, then lying in front of Yorktown. How well he 
fought, history can tell. Chantilly was his last. Ever in the 
battle front, his example endeared him to his men, Avho still 
venerate his name." 

The column was nearly two hours in passing the reviewing 
stand, which was occupied by the President, Secretary of War, 
Generals Meade, Hancock and many others. The long proces- 
sion of 25,000 men made a deq) impression on those who wit- 
nessed the review, the fine marching, even distances and perfect 
alignment, set off by the bright arms and accouternients. new 
uniforms and white gloves, made a tout-cnscnihlc of perfect 
organization, composed of perfect soldiers. 

iVfter the review, the march back tO' camp was made by a 
remnant of the corps. Many of the men had found friends in 
the city, others, glad to escape for a little while the monotony of 
camp life, remained in Washington. But the greater number 
of delinquents were those who were too greatly exhausted to 
continue the marchj and dropped out of ranks. The day had 
i)een long, the weather hot and the road dusty, making it a most 
difficult and trying one for the men. The Jerseymen were not 
exempt from these disabilities, so that but a corporal's guard 
from each battalion and regiment answered roll-call at retreat. 
The men straggled into camp during the evening and night, but 
no notice was taken of the irregularity, discipline being relaxed 
for the o'ccasion. Considerable latitude was allowed during 
these last days of service, which was taken advantage of by 
those who had always been more or less intractable, to make 
demonstrations, particularly at night. 



Evidently a misapprehension on reporter's part. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 193 

The men remained quiet in camp for a few days. Then the 
spirit of restlessness seemed to seize them, and various demon- 
strations were gotten up by the more reckless of the disgruntled. 
To bring back a realizing sense of discipline and keep them out 
of mischief, drill was ordered. 

Governor Marcus L. Ward, of New Jersey, had visited the 
First New Jersey Brigade on June 2d, the day it arrived at 
Hall's Hill. He had always shown such keen interest in the 
Jersey troops and had given so' many proofs of his friendship 
for the "boys" that his reception by them was most enthusiastic. 

In some way the impression was prevalent that the Governor 
would take the Brigade back to Trenton when the review had 
taken place, and considerable discontent was manifested when, 
after marching back to camp, it became evident that it would be 
retained in the United States service some time longer. The 
absence of orders to make out muster-out rolls, the resumption 
of drill and parade and various other duties, deepened the feel- 
ing of disappointment. This restlessness and discontent took 
the form of demon&trations which were made at night, proces- 
sions being formed, and, sometimes with a drum corps, some- 
times singing camp songs, they marched through the camps 
cheering some of the officers and ''groaning" for others. The 
men carried lighted candles, making a very pleasing effect. 

On June 20th, the First Division of the Sixth Corps was made 
the First Division of the Provisional Corps, the other two divi- 
sions of this new organization being formed from the Second 
and Fifth Corps. 

The men still showing signs of restlessness, an order was 
issued to have the tents shaded by setting boughs of trees in full 
leaf, around and over them. This was done to keep the men 
busy and make them more comfortable. On June 22d, the Tenth 
Regiment was mustered out of service, and ordered to report at 
Trenton, 

On the same day the Fifteenth Regiment was mustered out. 

On June 29th, the First and Third Battalions were mustered 
out and sent home. 

On July 9th, the Fourth Regiment followed the First and 
Third Battalions, and on July nth the Second Battalion was dis- 



194 FIRST XEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

charged, leaving only the Fortieth Regiment. This regiment was 
discharged on July 13th, bringing to an end the career of the 
First New Jersey Brigade. 

In going over the standing of this Brigade in the Army of the 
Potomac, it is easily seen that there were but few organizations 
of its size that equaled it in discipline, steadfast courage and 
willingness to meet any emergency and sacrifice. The thorough 
training given to the four regiments that originally composed this 
Brigade by the brilliant soldier who w'as its first commander, 
showed itself on every field and in every camp. And this 
leavened those other regiments which from time to time were 
added to the Brigade to keep up the brigade organization. And 
it is due in a great measure to the efforts and personal influence 
of its last Brigade commander, that the Brigade was wholly a 
Brigade of Jerseymen. General Penrose made personal appeals 
to the Governor of New Jersey and to the War Department to fill 
up the old regiments with recruits from New Jersey, or in default 
of that to add new regiments of Jerseymen to the Brigade. In 
this way the famous Brigade was kept a distinctly Jersey Brigade. 

And no less can be counted for the gallant men wdio fought 
and marched in the ranks, for to their splendid achievements on 
the battlefield, their manly and soldierlike appearance and con- 
duct in camp, the ecomium uttered by McClellan is due, ''the best 
Brigade in the Army of the Potomac.'' 

For the gaining of these laurels great sacrifices were made, 
and the lives of such men as Hatfield and Tucker, Taylor and 
Hatch, Collet and Weibecke and Boeman, and a long list of 
officers and men, were given. .The small squad of original Jersey 
Brigade men who returned in 1865 was a most pathetic proof 
of the magnificent material of which it was composed. 

It would not be more than right to give here General Meade's 
farewell address to the Army of the Potomac on June 28th, 
which, though intended for the whole army, applies to each mem- 
ber of it, and as the Jersey Brigade was a not insignificant part 
of that army it will not be amiss to reproduce it here : 

"Soldiers! This day, two years, I assumed command of you 
under the orders of the President of the United States. To-dav, 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 195 

by virtue of the same authority, this army ceasing to exist, I have 
to announce my transfer to other duties and my separation from 
you. 

"It is unnecessary to enumerate here all that has occurred in 
these two eventful years, from the grand and decisive battle of 
Gettysburg, the turning point of the war, to the surrender of the 
Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox Court House. 
Suffice it to say that history will do you justice, a grateful country 
will honor the living, cherish and support the disabled, and sin- 
cerely mourn the dead. 

"In parting from you, your commanding general will ever bear 
in memory your noble devotion to your country, your patience 
and cheerfulness under all the privations and sacrifices you have 
been called upon to endure. 

"Soldiers, having accomplished the task set before us, having 
vindicated the honor and integrity of our Government and flag, 
let us return thanks to Almighty God for His blessing in granting 
us victory and peace, and let us earnestly pray for strength and 
light to discharge our duties as citizens as we have endeavored 
to discharge them as soldiers. 

"Geo. G. Meade, 
''Major-General, United States Army." 

The battles in which the First New Jersey Brigade participated 
were, West Point, Gaines' Mill, Charles City Cross Roads, Grove- 
ton (Second Manassas), Crampton's Pass, Antietam, Fredericks- 
burg, Salem Church, Maryes Heights, Fairfield, Wilderness, 
Spottsylvania Court House, Cold Harbor, Opequon, Fisher's 
Hill, Cedar Creek, Petersburg. Besides these the Brigade was 
present on the field and exposed to fire in the following battles : 
Savage Station, Malvern Hill, Bull Run, Gettysburg, Rappahan- 
nock Station, Mine Run, Siege of Petersburg, Hatcher's Run and 
Sailer's Creek. 

There were also a number of small affairs in which casualties 
occurred, such as skirmishes between pickets, reconnaissances and 
expeditions that were not enumerated on account of their insig- 
nificance, but which took toll of the lives of the participants. 



196 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



The Tenth Regiment. 



The Tenth Reg-iment had a history peculiar to itself. Being 
recruited under authority from the War Department, without the 
consent and against the w ishes of the Governor of New Jersey, 
its earlier experience was very similar to that of the First 
Cavalry, which was raised under like circumstances. The or- 
ganization was first known as the "Olden Legion." It was re- 
cruited by \\'illiam Bryan, of Beverly (at which place it had its 
headquarters), who was its first Colonel, John M. Wright being 
Lieutenant-Colonel, and Matthew Berryman, Major; Captain 
Henry A. Perrine, of Company K, afterwards JNIajor of the 
regiment, was also one of the original officers. 

The regiment proceeded to Washington in December, 1861, 
but for a time was of little ser\ace, falling almost immediately, 
indeed, into disrepute, owing to its defective organization and 
the absence of all proper discipline. In January, 1862, the Secre- 
tary of War applied to Governor Olden to take charge of the 
organization as part of the quota of New Jersey and place it on 
a proper footing for serv'ice, but this the latter declined to do, 
l)eing unwilling to become responsible for the character of an 
organization raised and officered in contravention of all the 
rules he had established and observed in organizing other regi- 
ments. Later in the same month, however, the Governor was 
again appealed to b}- the Secretar\' of War, who stated, among 
other things, that it would be necessary to disband the regiment 
unless the State would assume control of and properly arrange 
it. Thus appealed to. Governor Olden sent for Colonel \\'illiani 
R. Murphy, in whose discretion he had confidence, and after 
referring to his uniform opposition to the regiment on account 
of the manner in which it was raised, proposed to accede to the 
request of the War DepartmciU. provided that Colonel Murphy 
would accept the command, and address himself to the task of 
rescuing the regiment from the demoralization into which it 
had fallen. After a full and free conference, Colonel Murphy 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 197 

acquiesced in the proposition of the Governor on condition that 
the Quartermaster of the State should be directed to equip and 
supply the regiment like the others, and that he (the Colonel) 
should be permitted to select its officers. These conditions being 
assented to, Colonel Murphy at once prepared to accept the com- 
mand, and on the 19th of February, 1862, reported to Brigadier- 
General Casey at Washington, was mustered in and ordered to 
join the regiment. 

At this time the command was in an almost hopeless condi- 
tion. One of the radical defects of its organization consisted in 
the fact that it included a company enlisted and equipped as 
cavalry, thus impairing its unity and necessitating a diversity 
of drill and discipline eminently prejudicial to its regimental 
character. Many, if not all the men, attached to this company, 
were in arrest for refusing to do infantry duty, and chaos pre- 
vailed in all directions. The matter was at once brought to the 
notice of the Commanding General, who, seeing that a wrong 
had been done to these men either through ignorance or by 
design, issued an order to muster them out, while at the same 
time authority was given tO' the Governor by the War Depart- 
ment to recruit a company of infantry tO' complete the regimental 
organization. This being done, followed by the discharge of a 
considerable number on account oi physical disability, and the 
commissioning and mustering of field and company officers, the 
prospect of regimental usefulness became more encouraging. 
But before this was completed, the Army of the Potomac had 
gone to the Peninsula, leaving- the regiment attached to the 
command of Brigadier-General Wadsworth. The morale of the 
regiment continued to improve rapidly, and this, together with 
its superior soldier-like appearance, as compared with others, 
soon attracted attention, and early in the summer of 1862 it 
was ordered into Washington and placed upon provost-duty. 
The command, however, soon became anxious for more active 
service, and the Colonel, who' fully shared this feeling, accord- 
ingly remonstrated with the authorities against the detention of 
the regiment at that post, when, as it seemed to him, it could be 
more usefully employed elsewhere. To all his entreaties, how- 
ever, but one reply was made, namely, that his was the only 



198 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

regiment that could be trusted, and with this gratifying but 
unsatisfactory compliment he was obliged to be content. The 
regiment continued doing provost-duty during the entire re- 
mainder of the year — Major Charles H. Tay, of the Second' 
Regiment, being in September appointed Lieutenant-Colonel — 
and in the early part of 1863 permanent barracks were erected for 
its occupation. This seeming to indicate that no change in the 
character of its duties was to be expected. Colonel Murphy, who 
had hoped for active service, on the 12th of March resigned his 
commission as Colonel, and Colonel H. O. Ryerson, fonnerly of 
the Second Regiment and more recently of the Tw-enty-third. 
was appointed in his place. 

At length, on the 12th of April, the desire of the regiment • 
for service elsew'here was gratified, orders being received direct- 
ing it to proceed at once to Suffolk, then menaced by the enemy 
in force under Longstreet. Suffolk being an important railroad 
junction, lying at the head of the Nansemond, twelve miles from 
its confluence with the James River, covering the landward ap- 
proaches to Norfolk, and virtually commanding that part of 
North Carolina east of the Chowan River, its occupation by our 
troops was of the greatest importance, and it had, therefore, 
early been seized and fortified. No serious demonstration, how- 
ever, had been made against it until April loth, wdien Longstreet 
suddenly ad\anced with a force of some forty thousand men, 
designing to cross the Nansemond, and seize the roads to Nor- 
folk, uix)n which he might then march unmolested. General 
Peck, how^ever, penetrating his designs, prepared promptly to 
defeat them, and it was to aid in the execution of his plans that 
the Tenth, with other regiments, was hurried to his department. 
Reaching its destination, the regiment, being attached to Cor- 
coran's brigade, was placed in the works at the front, extending 
across the Edenton road, active operations meanwhile going on 
at other ix^ints of the line. At length, on the 24th of April, it 
was sent out on a reconnaissance on the Edenton road, with a 
view of ascertaining the location, strengfth and plans of the 
enemy, the movement resulting in a lively skirmish, in which 
ihc enemy's outposts were driven back. The loss of the Tenth 
was only one or two men wounded. The regiment w'as not 



^ FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 199 

again engaged until the 4th of May, when Longstreet having 
raised the siege, General Peck sent out a column of some seven 
thousand men, including Corcoran' s brigade, in pursuit. Coming 
up with the enemy at Carsville, near the Blackwater, the Tenth 
speedily became engaged, capturing some prisoners and inflicting 
considerable loss on the retreating foe. This was the first severe 
engagement in which the regiment had participated, but the men 
behaved with marked steadiness, showing that the discipline to 
which they had been subjected had not been without influence 
in maturing their soldierly character. The regiment lost several 
men killed and wounded. 

Longstreet having abandoned the siege, many of the troops 
under General Peck were withdrawn for service elsewhere, the 
Tenth being ordered tO' join the Army of the Potomac during 
the month of July. Upon arriving at Washington, it was sent 
to Philadelphia, where it was feared the enforcement of the 
conscription would lead to disturbances of the peace. Here the 
regiment remained for twO' months on provost-duty, becoming 
very popular with the citizens, who flocked in crowds to witness 
its dress-parades. The discipline of the regiment at this time 
was equal, perhaps, to that of any regiment in the service, and 
elicited cordial commendation from all who visited the camp. 
In the month of September, the regiment was sent to Pottsville, 
Pennsylvania, where there were indications of riots among the 
miners, and thence was ordered to the fords of the Potomac 
near Shepherdstown, were it remained about a month, doing 
picket duty with other troops, the rebels under Imboden threat- 
ening a raid into- that part of Maryland. In November, riots 
having broken out in other parts of the mining regions of 
Pennsylvania, it was ordered to Maucli Chunk, where it was 
placed in charge oi the sub-military district of Carbon, com- 
posed of the County of Carbon and part of Luzerne, one com- 
pany remaining at Mauch Chunk, and the others placed at 
various points — the right and left companies being stationed 
seventeen miles distant from each other. Here the regiment re- 
mained all winter. During much of this time, Colonel Ryerson 
was president of a commission which tried many of the semi- 
rebels of that region, who were encouraging desertions, inter- 



200 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

fering with recruiting, interrupting mining operations and mur- 
dering loyalists conspicuous for their devotion to the national 
cause. Lieutenant-Colonel Tay was also engaged for a time on 
court-martial duty. During the winter, the regiment re-enlisted 
and was otherwise recruited, but to such an extent were 
desertions instigated by the tories of that section, that the 
Colonel, who was also anxious to be united with the Army of 
the Potomac, urged the Department to place his command in 
tlie held. This request was finally granted, aiid in the month of 
.April, the regiment proceeded to Brandy Station, where it was 
attached to the First New Jerse}- Brigade, only a short time 
before the army crossed the Rapidan in the grand movement 
against Richmond. 

The record of the regiment from this time forward was almost 
identical with that of the First Brigade, which is elsewhere 
given. It shared in all the battles of the Wilderness and fought 
with its corps all the way to Petersburg, on every field displac- 
ing conspicuous gallantry. In the battle of the 6th of May, it 
suffered severely, especially in the assault of the rebel General 
Gordon on our right, made just before dark. In the engage- 
ment resulting from this assault, the regiment lost nearly one 
entire company in prisoners alone. Among the mortally 
wounded on this day, was Colonel Ryerson. Diu-ing the 7th, 
the regiment was not engaged, but on the evening of the 8th. 
it again met the foe. .\t this lime, Warren's corps, which, com- 
ing up with the enemy at Alsop's Farm early in the day. had 
vainly essayed to carry liis position, was preparing to make a 
second attack, and the Sixth Corps having arrived, one division 
was ordered to take part in the movement. The Tenth Regi- 
ment — no other regiment of the First Brigade participating — 
was accordingly ])ut in on the right of Crawford's division of 
the Fifth (Warren's) Corps, and moving forward, bravely at- 
tacked the enemy in its front. Unfortunately, however, the 
regiment on its left l>ecame in some way separated from it. and 
the two being thus isolated, were pounced upon bv the enemy 
with great celerity and force; compelling them to give way, 
with heavy loss — the Tenth having eightv men and several 
officers captured, including Colonel Tay, who, being with the 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 201 

Other prisoners, taken to the rear, was next day started for 
Richmond, but was fortunately on the same day rescued from 
the hands of his guards by General Sheridan, at Beaver Dam 
Station. The total loss of the regiment up to this time, aside 
from prisoners, had been one hundred and thirteen — ^eighteen 
killed and ninety-five wounded. In the fighting along the Po, 
the Tenth shared with the brigade, and at Cold Harbor again 
suffered largely, being in the first day's engagement in the third 
line of battle, and losing some seventy in killed and wounded. 
In the assault upon the enemy's position on June 3d, the regi- 
ment charged alone at a peculiarly exposed p9int, and sustained 
heavy loss, amounting in all to some sixty-five killed and 
wounded. From this time forward until the appearance of the 
army before Petersburg, the regiment was constantly on duty, 
responding cheerfully to all demands upon it, and on all oc- 
casions acquitting itself with eminent credit. 

Transferred with the First Brigade to the Shenandoah Val- 
ley, the Tenth was there, too, found equal to every emergency. 
On the 15th of August, it participated in a sharp picket skir- 
mish near Strasburg, and two days after took part in the battle 
of Winchester, assisting (with the rest of the brigade) to 
hold the whole of Early's army in check for a period of six 
hours. In this engagement the Tenth was formed on the left 
of the Fourth Regiment and held its position until heavily over- 
lapped by the enemy on the left, and even then, with its am- 
munition exhausted, stood firm, after a part of the brigade — 
right wing — had retired. From some cause, inexplicable to 
those most vitally concerned, no order was sent to the regiment 
to withdraw, and the result necessarily was, that holding on 
from moment to moment, fighting and waiting, it was gradually 
surrounded, so that when at last the attempt was made to fall 
back, it only fell into the snare set for it. The regiment not 
only lost considerably in killed and wounded, but also in pris- 
oners. Colonel Tay being again captured with one. hundred and 
fifteen men of the brigade — mainly of the left wing. At the 
close of this affair, the Tenth, which crossed the Rapidan in 
May with six hundred men, had only eighty men left for duty 
— a fact which exhibits more forcibly than any words the 



202 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

severity of the experience which it had been called upon to 
iindergo. 

In the subsequent battles in the Valley, the regiment, feeble 
as it was, bravely maintained its reputation. During the winter 
of 1864-5, having with the brigade rejoined the army before 
Petersburg, and being largely recruited, it participated in the 
various movements which resulted so detrimentally to the enemy, 
and in the grand assault of the 2d of April, rendered dis- 
tinguished service. AVhen the rebel flag went down at Appo- 
mattox, it turned its face homeward, reaching the vicinity of 
Washington, four hundred and fifty strong, on the 2d of June. 
Thence, some weeks after, it proceeded to Trenton, and was in 
■due time discharged. Its record, from the day it took the field, 
was one of sublime devotion to the work in which the nation 
was engaged, and in the legends and chronicles of the firesides 
to which its survivors came back scarred and laureled, its deeds 
will live for long years to come. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 203 



The Fifteenth Regiment. 



The Fifteenth Regiment was organized at Fleniington in July 
and August, 1862. Three companies were recruited in Sussex 
County, two in Warren, two in Hunterdon, twO' in Morris and 
one in Somerset, and all were composed of men of superior 
physical strength and capacities of endurance. The regiment 
was mustered jnto the United States service on the 25th of 
August, and on the 27th left for Washington, numbering nine 
hundred and twenty-five officers and men. Colonel Samuel 
Fowler commanding. Reaching the Capital, it encamped at 
Tennallytown, where it remained for about a month, engaged in 
drill and acquiring discipline for future service. While here, 
the men were also employed upon the defences of Washington, 
slashing timber, making military roads, and throwing up earth- 
works — Fort Kearny being constructed entirely by their labor. 
On the 30th of September, the regiment proceeded by rail to 
Frederick, Maryland, and thence marched across tO' Bakersville, 
passing the battle-field of Antietam and Sharpsburg. At 
Bakersville, it was assigned to the First (Jersey) Brigade, First 
Division, Sixth Army Corps, and henceforth participated in the 
hardships, battles and triumphs of the Army of the Potomac. 
The month of delay which followed was diligently improved by 
the regiment, field-exercise and drill being practiced daily; and 
when, at last, the army moved across the Potomac, the new re- 
cruits had been transformed into soldiers who were worthy to 
march with the veterans whose deeds had already covered our 
anns with undying glory. 

The order to march, when (on the 31st of October) the army 
broke camp, was obeyed by the Fifteenth with true soldierly 
alacrity. But one thing was universally regretted, and that was 
the inability of Colonel Fowler, the chivalrous commander, who 
was dangerously ill with typhoid fever, to accompany the regi- 
ment. His ability and energy had been manifested in recruiting 
and rapidly preparing for the field an unusually fine body of 



204 FIRST XEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

men; but his high ambition to lead them into actual combat was 
ne\ei" gratified, and he never after assumed command. When he 
rejoined the regiment after the first battle of Fredericksburg, 
it was with a shattered constitution, and though he followed the 
army for a few weeks, the surgeons pronounced him unfit for 
duty, and he was mustered out of service. He was ever held in 
affectionate remembrance by officers and men, and when intelli- 
gence of his death afterwards reached the command, not a few 
stout hearts were wrung by grief that so promising a career had 
so soon and unexpectedly been closed. 

At New Baltimore, General McClellan took his farewell of 
the army, and. attended b\- General Burnside. his successor, did 
the New Jersey Brigade the honor of riding entirely around 
their camp, receiving a cordial welcome. After a week's delay 
at Warrenton, the army moved to Stafford Court House, with 
Fredericksburg as its objective. Another delay, however, gave 
the enemy an opportunity to concentrate his forces, and when, 
on the night of the loth of December, the advance was resumed, 
Fredericksburg was in a state of perfect defense. The Fifteenth 
reached Stafford Heights on the morning of the nth, but did 
not become engaged, though witnesses of the cannonading of 
the doomed town. \i sundown the army was massed in the 
plain north of the Rappahannock, during the night the pontoon 
l^ridges were laid, and at daylight the First Brigade crossed, 
moving rapidly up the hill to the edge of the plain, in full view 
of the enemy on the heights. At two o'clock p. m.. forming 
in line of battle, it advanced swiftly across the plain, the rebel 
batteries meanwhile opening vigorously. The men of the Fif- 
teenth were under fire for the first time, but they did not falter. 
Before the rebels had fairly got the range, Deep Run Creek 
was reached, and in the chasm it opened the regiment found 
protection, though a few causalties occurred from the explosion 
of shells. On the following day. 13th, the army advanced early 
in the morning right and left, and a fearful struggle soon 
commenced. During most of the day the Fifteenth was stationed 
along the line of the railroad, keeping up a musketry fire, and 
now and then charging upon the enemy, with little loss on 
either side. Late in the afternoon, a more decided movement 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 205 

was made on the immediate front, but the brigade was forced 
back with very considerable loss, Colonel Hatch, of the Fourth 
Regiment, who led the charge, being wounded in the knee, re- 
quiring amputation of the leg, from the effects of which he died 
a few days after. A large number of the Fourth were captured, 
tog'ether with a number from the Twenty-third and Fifteenth. 
The total loss in the latter regiment was about thirty. Among 
the killed was Sergeant-Major John P. Fowler, whose name had 
been proposed for a commission. Captain Slater, of French- 
town, lost a leg, and bore the amputation with much patience 
and Christian fortitude. Major James M. Brown, who dis- 
played great courage and activity, received a painful contusion 
in the thigh from a bullet, which disabled him for some time. 
In addition tO' this hurt, an old wound, received while a Captain 
in the Third Regiment, which shattered his jaw and partially 
paralyzed his tongue, broke out afresh, rendering his resignation, 
when cold weather set in, imperative. He was subsequently ap- 
pointed Provost-Marshal of the Fourth Congressional District, 
and continued tO' hold the office until it was abolished with the 
return of peace. 

Bravely as the army had fought, it could not accomplish the 
impossible, and on the night of the 15th, General Burnside with- 
drew his forces, who settled down at Falmouth and White Oak 
Church. The winter which followed, marked by no signs of 
activity other than the "Mud March," was for the most part one 
of great gloom and suffering. The troops, especially those who 
experienced for the first time a winter's hardships in the field, 
felt it severely. The typhoid fever prevailed; without proper 
tents or facilities for building . log huts, lying on the wet, 
spongy ground, without vegetable food, illy-provided with 
shoes and clothing, and firewood scarce, the men suffered and 
died by hundreds. Among the victims in the Fifteenth was the 
Ho'spital Ste^^•ard, John R. Hilton, who died nobly in the path 
of duty. But at length, the winter, dreary and sad, passed away, 
and active work again commenced. In the latter part of April, 
1863, Colonel William H. Penrose, a native of Michigan and a 
Lieutenant in the Third United States Infantry, took command 
of the regiment, and' on the 29th, having broken camp at 
14 F B 



•20G FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

White Oak Church the day previous, the Brigade crossed the 
Rappahannock at Frankhn's crossing, to co-operate in the move- 
ment against the enemy at Chancellorsville, whither the bulk 
of the army was already moving. During the day (29th), the 
Fifteenth was kept in position near the river, but in the evening 
was sent on picket in the open plain, within four hundred feet of 
the enemy. Two days after rifle trenches were dug, which it 
occupied until the night of May 2d, when our skirmishers drove 
in the enemy's line and held the plain to the foot of the 
heights. On the 3d, at daylight, the brigade moved rapidly out 
from its position, in the face of a sharp rebel fire — the Fifteenth 
reaching the turnpike road and having a severe skirmish, in 
which it lost several men killed and three bodies left on the field, 
the lo^s in all being twenty, subsequently, the regiment being 
captured, the Fifteenth about noon was withdrawn from the 
extreme left, and marching through the town, pushed up the 
plank road over the heights in the direction of Salem Church. 
At four o'clock p. m. the command halted, and in obedience to 
orders, two hours after, was hurried into position on the right 
of the brigade, encountering the heaviest fire it had yet made. 
Charging gallantly through a thick wood, the enemy was found 
ad\antageously posted behind a wall and ditch, but the Fif- 
teenth, with royal courage, bravely faced all obstacles, maintain- 
ing the fight until eight o'clock p. m., when, owing to a want of 
concert of action, it was compelled to fall back, having lost in 
killed, wounded and missing, one hundred and thirty men, which 
number, added to the twenty of the morning, swelled the losses 
of the day to one hundred and fifty. The fighting at Chancellors- 
ville having meanwhile proved disastrous, it was found neces- 
sary to withdraw the army, which in the case of the Sixth Corps 
was a hazardous undertaking, but was accomplished on the night 
of the 4th without loss. 

After re-crossing the Rappahannock at Banks' Ford, the regi- 
ment returned to its old camp, where it remained until June 6th. 
when it l)roke camp, and on the evening of the 7th, once more 
crossed the river at Franklin's crossing, and taking position in 
the old rifle pits, awaited an expected attack. During the ensu- 
inq- week strong works were constructed on the brow of the hill 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 207 

o^•erlooking the plain below Fredericksburg, but no' conflict re- 
sulting, the regiment on Saturday night re-crossed the pontoon 
bridge, afterwards hauling the boats from the river — a few men 
in the darkness and confusion being left behind. Still moving 
forward — the army now being ordered in pursuit of Lee, who 
was moving into Pennsylvania — the regiment finally reached 
Fairfax Station, where, after a halt of some days, it again (on 
the 26th of June) advanced, crossing the Potomac near Ed- 
ward's Ferry. On the night of July ist, leaving the vicinity of 
Manchester, Maryland, it moved in a northwesterly direction 
until it struck the Littleton pike, and thence through Littleton 
and Two Taverns, reaching Gettysburg at three o'clock p. m. 
of the 2d, having marched thirty-five miles in sixteen hours, and 
mostly without food. At seven o'clock p. m. the brigade was 
sent to the front, but though the battle was in progress, did not 
become engaged. The ground in its front was that from which 
Sickles had been driven, but the enemy in turn being driven 
back, the men slept in position on their arms. But the wakeful 
ones heard, all through the night, the moans and cries of the 
wounded, who had been gathered into the houses or barns, or lay 
imcared for upon the bloody field. 

On the morning of the 3d, the brigade, after various move- 
ments, occupied a rocky knoll, something lige an eighth of a mile 
from Little Round Top, in the direction of the town. The 
enemy being, after three hours' stubborn fighting, repulsed and 
the position secured upon the right, a lull in the combat ensued, 
interrupted only by artillery fighting from left. But all the 
morning Lee had been placing his artillery and massing his 
troops for a grand assault, and at length one hundred and fifty 
pieces opened all along his lines, hurling great showers of mis- 
siles against our position. Fortunately, however, the First Bri- 
gade escaped with only a trifling loss. "Upon the rocky knell, 
fronted with trees," writes a member of the Fifteenth, "our 
position was indefinite, and most of the missiles passed over our 
heads harmlessly, bursting in our rear, or going too low, struck 
in the hill below us. Several men were injured by shells ex- 
ploding in the air, but in general the regiment was unharmed. 
A\'ith arms firmly grasped the men waited the coming assault 



208 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

for over two hours, when the fire on either side slackened and 
in contrast with the previous dread explosions there was a great 
calm. But the enemy was forming-, and emerging from their 
cover, fifteen or twenty thousand Confederates moved out to the 
deadly assault. With strange emotion we watched their coming; 
it was not fear, it was not surprise, but even- man was silent, 
and grasped his weapon more closely. When the enemy reached 
the middle of the plain, our batteries began to play upon him. 
cutting through his lines, but he came on with increasing 
rapidity, till the fire of musketry, which had been withheld, was 
poured into him. He dropped rapidly, but nearer and nearer 
swept the charging columns. Most of our batteries were out of 
ammunition and ceased their firing, and it was left to the oppos- 
ing l>odies of infantry to determine the contest. As the charg- 
ing column swept nearer, a heavier and more deadly fire stayed 
a body of North Canjlina troops for a moment, when they broke 
and ran ; a large number throwing down their amis and coming 
in as prisoners. Pickett's division had a less distance of open 
ground to traverse, and so great was the impetus it acquired 
that it passed directly over our outer-line of stone wall' and 
rough works, and drove back the first line of troops, belonging 
to part of the Second Corps. The rebel colors, indeed, were 
planted right on the breastworks. The critical hour of the day 
had come, but General Hancock was equal to the emergency, and 
gathering troops from right and left, and halting and re-forming 
the broken columns, a new line was formed, which, though bend- 
ing back some distance from the former front, was a formidable 
barrier to the enemy's further progress. Then from right and 
left, assailing either flank, was poured in a destructive fire, and 
our men came pressing closer, making the circuit smaller. The 
fighting was short and decisive. The rebels recoiled before the 
deadly fire, threw away their arms in token of submission, and 
on all sides crcmched close to the earth in dismay. Some thou- 
sand wore captured and moved away to the rear, our troops at 
once regaining and holding their former line. Soon after, 
another charging column moved across the plain, but a withering 
artillery fire played upon their ranks, and a portion of our 
troops, leaping the intrcnchments, assaulted their tlank and soon 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 209 

put them to flight, with heavy loss of killed and prisoners. Be- 
fore sundown the fighting ceased, but the Confederates had 
failed and their commander was convinced of the hopelessness 
of assaulting the position of the Union Army. It was Fred- 
ericksburg reversed : but wiser than Burnside, Lee did not per- 
sist in hurrying his columns again and again to certain destruc- 
tion. The Fifteenth witnessed all from their position, but 
though ready for duty were not summoned to actual fighting." 

The next day, 4th, was spent without a contest. Each side 
buried its dead and sent the wounded tO' the rear, within its own 
lines. The rebels during the day threw up works, but at night 
began their retreat. At once the army started in pursuit, and 
early Sunday morning the Fifteenth took the road on the left 
passing along the base of Little Round Top, and through Plum 
Run meadow and the wheat field, and peach orchard where 
Sickles' corps had suffered, so heavily on the 2d. came in about 
two hours upon their deserted hospitals. Following cautiously, 
at night it came upon their rear-guard near Fairfield, and a 
sharp skirmish followed. After halting all night and the next 
day until four o'clock p. m., at Fairfield^ the brigade again 
marched, and at sunrise reached Emmettsburg, the enemy hav- 
ing evacuated the whole region. The pursuit was continued for 
several days, and on the 12th, near Hagerstown, there was a 
skirmish in which two men of the Fifteenth were wounded, one 
by a bullet through the foot, and Jacob O. Burdett through both 
thighs. The former subsequently died in the hospital. Hagers- 
town was captured, and twO' days later the command reached 
Williamsport, but the rebels were safely beyond the river. On 
the 19th of July, the Brigade re-crossed the Potomac at Berlin 
and marched through the Loudon Valley, arriving at Warren- 
ton on the 25th, where it went into camp and remained until 
September 15th; two days later, moving to Culpepper Court 
House, it again encamped; and the remainder of the year was 
passed without participating in any engagements. The Fifteenth 
marched with the army to Centreville and back again to the 
Rappahannock, was present, though not engaged at the capture 
of Rappahannock Station, and after the movement to Mine Run 
went into winter-quarters two miles from Brandy Station. Here 



210 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

timber being abundant, the regiment built very comfortable huts, 
and the camp was finely laid out uix)n a ridge of ground. On 
the 17th of January, 1864, a chai>el built of logs, roofed with 
canvas, and twenty feet by thirty in size, was opened for relig- 
ious services in the regiment. This rude house of worship wit- 
nessed many a scene of devotion, and the evident presence of 
the Holy Spirit, and was the spiritual birth-place of many souls. 
After its opening, services w-ere held twice on the Sabbath and 
every evening of the week, excepting Wednesday, when the 
Literary Society had the use of the building. Soon after the 
opening of the Chapel an unusual religious interest was awak- 
ened throughout the regiment. The house was well filled night 
after night. The preaching seemed to reach the heart, and the 
meetings for prayer after tattoo were deeply interesting. ^leet- 
ings for inquirers were opened and numbers of the awakened 
l>egan to come. Three communion services were held in this 
building. At the first, Januar}^ 24th, two men of the Fifteenth 
and five from the Third made public profession of their faith in 
Christ. At the second, March 27th, nineteen made a profession 
of religion and eleven of them were baptized. The third. May 
ist, witnessed the reception of twenty more into the regimental 
church, six of whom w^ere baptized. The services of May ist 
were very largely attended and numbers expressed their comfort 
in the exercises, an officer who received his death wound on the 
6th, saying it was the most solemn administration of the sacra- 
ment he had ever attended. The last meeting w^as held in the 
Chapel on Tuesday night, the 3d of May, after which the can- 
vas covering was taken down and packed for removal. Out of 
one hundred and thirty in the regiment who professed to have 
found i^eace in the Saviour of men, many never again met at a 
religious meeting on earth, and before the month ended two- 
thirds of them had died or been disabled on the battlefield! 

On May 4th, the regiment broke camp at daylight, and march- 
ing by way of Brandy Station and Stevensburg, crossed the 
Rapidan at Germania Ford by pontoon bridge. The 5th found 
it in the Wilderness, and the sounds of battle where Warren had 
come into collision with Ewell's corps, soon brought the order 
hastening the Sixth Corps to his support. The thickness of the 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. . 211 

woods, and encumbered state of the road, formed a grreat ob- 
stacle tO' a speedy advance tO' the point of contest; but at length, 
being- put on the double-quick, the men, with much confusion 
floundering through the thicket, reached the battle-ground about 
one o'clock p. m. Each side was waiting for re-enforcements, 
and during the afternoon little was done beyond firing by artillery 
— which seemed ineffectual — and straightening our lines and 
getting the regiment out of the confusion into- which they had 
been thrown by the brushwood. The Fifteenth was now thrown 
in advance upon a rise of ground, from which our forces had 
withdrawn in the morning, and began to throw up rifle pits. 
(The regiment was for a time detached from the rest of the 
Brigade, and for two' days served under Colonel Upton of the 
Second Brigade.) Towards night the firing was resumed, in- 
flicting some casualties — ^Captain Van Derveer, Company E, 
having his hand shattered and being wounded in the throat. 
He was a valuable officer, brave and capable; disabled by these 
wounds he was sent to Washington, and after resigning his 
commission received a Government appointment, and died of 
fever soon after the war closed. Several men were also 
wounded, and Leonard Decker, Company D, killed. The night 
was cold, and marked by musketry firing, and at break of day 
the men stood to arms anticipating a stubborn contest. Just at 
sunrise. Captain Ellis Hamilton was struck by a bullet from a 
rebel sharpshooter, which passed through both thighs. He was 
sent to Washington, and after lingering some days, tenderly 
watched by loving friends, he expired, expressing his firm faith 
and telling of that change of heart he felt he had experienced 
while in camp at Brandy Station. Though one of the most 
youthful officers in the regiment, he was distinguished for 
bravery and efficiency, and universally beloved as having gone 
into the service from the purest sense of duty. At length, an 
hour after sunrise, the roar of artillery and musketry on the 
right announced that the rebels had assailed. Soon the combat 
approached and swept by the regimental front and on to^ the left. 
For a while it was vehement, but presently died down and the 
morning was disturbed only by occasional discharges of artillery 
and musketry firing along the skirmish line. But a more pro- 



212 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

longed contest was being waged on the left, where Hancock had 
engaged Hill and Longstreet. Just at dark Ewell's troops, who 
fronted the Sixth Corps, attacked the flank of the Third 
Division, which fell back in confusion, the rebels carrying the 
breastworks, and then pouring a fire upon the flank of the First 
Division, the Fourth Brigade being driven from its position and 
flying in panic. The Tenth New Jersey in this disorder, and 
Colonel Ryerson. after having rallied his men and made them 
lie down on a new line which he determined to hold, as he rose 
upon one knee, received a Ixillet in the forehead, from which he 
died a few days after in a rebel hospital, deeply regretted. But 
though the line was broken on their right, and the enemy pene- 
trated to their rear, the Fifteenth held their advanced and 
isolated position till midnight, when without loss they followed 
the rest of the army to the new line some two miles to the rear. 
The situation was very hazardous, and many believed the regi- 
ment captured; so close was its proximity to the rebels that the 
men heard their conversation with ease. 

It was two o'clock a. m.. May 7th, when the regiment came 
into the new line. It had stood its ground when others fled and 
panic prevailed on either side ; and now, determined still to hold 
its position, began intrenching at daylight. By ten o'clock a. m. 
the works were verv strong, and though the enemy felt the line 
in fr(^nt and drove in a part of the skirmish line, by which three 
men were wounded, and John Brogan, Company A, killed — no 
real advantage was gained. At dark the regiment marched by 
the Fredericksburg road to Chancellorsville, and thence to the 
point where Grant was now concentrating. 

The morning of Sunday. May 8th. was intenselv hot. and 
exhausted by the fatigues of previous days and the march of the 
])ast night, the men fell fainting by scores from the ranks. Ac- 
cordingly at ten o'clock a. m. a halt w^as ordered. The Fifth 
Corps were at this time in advance, and firing was heard at the 
point where they struck the enemy. About noon the Fifteenth 
reached the field of action, about half a mile from Spottsylvania 
Court House, meeting many of the Fifth Corps going in squads 
to the rear. As the command came up the road at Alsops, Gen- 
eral Warren rode into the ranks demanding, "What brigade is 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 213 

this? Where is the commanding officer? I want tO' move this 
brigade forward at once. I must have this brigade." Colonel 
Penrose, now the ranking officer, commanded the brigade, and 
soon after, ordered by General Warren, moved to a designated 
position, and held the ground firm.ly under the artillery fire of 
the enemy. But the real object of our advance in that direction 
was not attained. General Warren had failed to reach Spottsyl- 
vania Court House in time to hold the roads which concentrated 
there — which was his real object in the advance — the possession 
of this point being considered of the greatest importance to a 
successful issue of this part of the campaign. At eight or nine 
o'clock on the morning of May 8th, a small body of Union 
cavalry were in possession of the Court House, but at ten 
o'clock a. m., when the head of the Fifth Corps emerged from 
the woods and crossed the open space near Alsops, they were 
greeted with a furious discharge of musketry from the troops 
of Longstreet, whose column had entered Spottsylvania Court 
House, driven out the cavalry and now came pouring into the 
place regiment after regiment. It was a critical moment when 
the Fifth Corps received the first discharge from rebel infantry. 
As yet only the head of Longstreet' s force had reached the Court 
House, though every moment swelled the number of his forces. 
The veterans of the Fifth, surprised at the sudden onset, were 
thrown into confusion, and the advance was checked until a 
stronger and more orderly assault might be delivered. This was 
attempted, a charge was made, and some advantage gained; but 
the delay of half an hour lost us Spottsylvania Court House, 
and was followed by the bloodiest contests in which the Army 
of the Potomac ever engaged. 

During the following day, the 8th, the Fifteenth was not 
engaged, but at six o'clock in the evening, the order came for 
the brigade tO' advance — the Fifteenth to charge the Avorks on 
the right flank and the other regiments on the front. The Fif- 
teenth at once moved gallantly forward, charging at double- 
quick, but without firing a gtm — the enemy also reserving his 
fire. Soon, the assailants, reaching a marsh, were exposed to 
an enfilading fire, which swept their ranks in three directions, 
but though • whole companies seemed to melt away, the gallant 



L'14 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

Jerseymen plunged straight forward througli the soft, spongy 
marsh, forced their way through the fallen timl^er and over 
e\cry obstacle until they mounted the crest and standing on the 
jjarapets tired on the rebels in their own ditches. So pitiless 
was the assailing hre that the enemy speedily gave way, and 
had the Fifteenth been properly supported, or in greater num- 
l>ers, the victory must have been complete. But now, back in 
the woods, a drum beat the assembly, and perceiving the weak- 
ness of the attacking force, the rebels rallied from all sides to 
beat back the meagre remnant of the brave little regiment. 
Thus overwhelmed, the Fifteenth slowdy fell back, having lost 
in all one hundred and one men; but it had performed one of 
the most gallant achievements of the campaign, and in that 
thought the survivors found some compensation f(jr their suf- 
ferings, as, exhausted and Avorn, they wdthdrew^ from the scene 
of combat. The Tenth Regiment, which was sent in about the 
same time as the Fifteenth, participating in the charge on the 
front, scattered very soon after becoming engaged — Lieutenant- 
Colonel Tay, however, leading forward three or four companies 
until they came up to the works, w-hen he. Captain Snowden and 
several other officers and a large number of men, after main- 
taining a short, unequal contest, w-ere forced to surrender. The 
remainder, escaping, came out of the contest greatly disordered, 
without an officer of experience to command them, and w'ere 
consequently placed under charge of Lieutenant-Colonel Camp- 
bell, of the Fifteenth. 

At noon of the 9th, the Fifteenth again moved, marching to 
the right, but did not become actively engaged, though three 
companies were stationed on the skirmish line, and the w'hole 
command was much exposed. On the loth, the regimental posi- 
tion was no less exposed, but the command bravely held its own 
against the onsets of the enemy, losing in all twenty men. Dur- 
ing the nth, both armies maneuvered for position without any 
general engagement, but on the 12th hostilities were renewed 
with unsparing violence. The First Brigade, being moved at 
half-past three o'clock a. m. to the front on the left of the 
corj)s, was sent forward to assail some of the same w^orks it 
had assaulted on the loth — other brigades participating in the 



FIRST NEJV JERSEY BRIGADE. 215 

movements and sharing in its perils. Few charges of this 
memorable campaign were more difficult or more grandly 
executed than that made at this time by the Jersey Brigade. 
They had not only to force their way through a pine thicket, 
and then forming, dash across an open space, but to do so in 
the face of a deadly concentrated fire which no ordinary line 
could resist. But the Jerseymen were equal to the occasion. 
Bidding his men reserve their fire until they saw the foe and 
knew that every shot would tell, Colonel Penrose steadily 
pushed forward the brave command. A thousand men soon 
lay lifeless, or wounded and bleeding, upon the ground, but still, 
the line swept on. The Fifteenth, dashing through the abattis 
before the rebel works, swept O'ver a portion of the breastworks, 
which for a time they stoutly held, driving out the rebels, or 
bayoneting those who tenaciously clung to the position. Some 
threw down their muskets and lifted their hands in. token of 
surrender and lay crouching in the ditch, only, however, to re- 
sume their weapons when their captors were more hardly 
pressed. Lieutenant Justice, of whom Colonel Campbell said, 
"He was to-day as brave as a lion," as he rose on the breast- 
work, waving his sword and shouting to his company, was shot 
by one of these skulking rebels who^ was in, turn run through 
with the bayonet by a man of Company A. Captain Walker 
was shot through the head at the first exposure to the enemy's 
fire. Captain Shimer was killed. Lieutenant Vanvoy was 
wounded, and while moving to the rear, was again struck and 
expired in a few moments. Captain Van Blarcom received 
several terrible wounds, but survived with the loss of a leg. 
Lieutenant Fowler was wounded and captured, and after a 
painful experience of the hardships and cruelties O'f Southern 
prisons, made his escape, and by a romantic series of adventures 
and deliverances in the mountains and swamps, at last reached 
the Union lines in Tennessee. 

The tenure of the salient was brief. The line to the right and 
left was broken, and an enfilading fire from a long distance on 
the right, swept through the thin ranks. The enemy had an 
inner line oi breastworks from which he poured a deadly fire. 
It was impossible to hold the captured bank so long as it was 



216 FlKSr NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

swept by the works yet untaken. .Vccordingly, the regiment fell 
back, and wdien Colonel Campbell gathered his shattered bat- 
talion, only seventy-five were found. 

On the left of the ground M^here the regiment charged, the 
assault was renewed again and again through the day by other 
troops, and the musketry fire was prolonged all night. So fierce 
was the incessant shower of bullets that the bodies of the dead 
were riddled, and great trees cut away a few feet from the 
ground. Within the salient the dead were literally piled in 
heaps, and the combatants fought over a mound of their dead 
.comrades. Few^ points, if any, on the broad theater of the war 
witnessed greater carnage than this. Forty bodies, or near one- 
fifth of the w^hole regiment, lay on the breastwork, in the ditch 
or the narrow, open space in front. Numbers had crawded awa}- 
to expire in the woods, and others were carried to the hospital, 
there to have their sufferings prolonged for a few days more, 
and then expire. Xo experience during the whole time the 
Fifteenth was in the service was more destructive than the half 
hour from ten o'clock to half-past ten, of the morning of May 
1 2th. 

On Saturday, the 14th, the Brigade moved to the left of the 
army near the Anderson House, and came upon the enemy 
about noon. The Second and Tenth Regiments were thrown 
forward as skirmishers across a stream, where they were sur- 
prised and overcome before they could be re-enforced. Sub- 
sequently, however, the rest of the brigade was thrown for- 
ward and the i>osition retaken. From this time until the 24th, 
the regiment was moved backward and forward, from the cen- 
tre to the left of the anny — occasionally skirmishing with the 
enemy and losing a few men. Never did the command so realize 
the horrors of war. Blood and death were on every side. The 
regiment had broken camp on the 4th with fifteen officers and 
fnur hundred and twenty-nine muskets, and now was reduced 
to six offtcers and one hundred and thirty-six muskets. From 
May 2 1st to June ist it was kept most of the time in motion, 
with an occasional loss on the skirmish line, being present at 
the battle of North Anna and other places of conflict. On the ist 
it reached Cold Harl>>r al>>ut noon. At three o'clock p. m. the 



' FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 217 

Sixth Corps charg-ed, and twenty-five of the Fifteenth were 
killed and wounded — ^Sergeant-Major A. V. Wyckoff being 
among the former. In the charge, the Fifteenth and Tenth 
Regiments reached a position on a hillock which they held when 
the line was broken on either side of them, and which thev be- 
gan to intrench upon at sundown. On this little hillock they 
remained for the greater part of the next ten days, and from it 
many never came alive. The firing from the enemy was almost 
constant, and whenever a man raised his head above the surface 
he was almost certain to be struck. The men, in fact, were 
obliged to burrow in the ground, and communication was kept 
up with the rear through a long ditch dug to hide those passing- 
from sight of the enemy. The dust, the great heat, the confined 
space and the dead bodies buried just under the surface, soon ren- 
dered the place most offensive. Day after day passed, line after 
line of works were constructed, the number of dead and wounded 
increased, but still the regiment was not taken from this horrible 
place, till, on the night of the 12th, it marched for the Janies 
River. 

On the 19th it reached the outer-defences of Petersburg, 
where it remained, w'ith the exception of a march to- Ream's 
Station, until the night of July 9th, when it proceeded to the 
James River and took steamer for Washington, going thence to 
the Shenandoah Valley. Nothing of particular importance oc- 
curred until August 15th, when it was assaulted at Strasburg,. 
on the Shenandoah, and lost nine' men. On the 17th, it skir- 
mished all day through Newtown and Winchester, the brigade 
forming the rear-gtiard of the army. At six o'clock p. m. one 
mile and a half south of Winchester, the enemy assaulted with 
\^igor, the brigade of nine hundred men and one regiment of 
cavalry, the Third New^ Jersey, sustaining the shock of an over- 
whelming- force, estimated at five thousand. In this action the 
Fifteenth lost sixty-one men in killed and missing. On the 21st, 
the enemy assaulted our lines at Charlestown, whither our troops 
had retired, and a number of men were lost. At midnight, the 
Fifteenth (and other regiments) fell back to a position near 
Bolivar Heights, where it was stationed for several days. 

On the morning of the 19th of September, the regiment broke 
camp before day, and after marching eight miles, halted at 



218 FIRST XEIV JERSEY BRIGADE. 

eleven o'clock within two miles of Winchester, in a ravine 
covered by the fire of the enemy. About noon the Brigade, 
under Colonel Campbell, moved out and the action became gen- 
eral. Soon the Third Division of the Sixth Corps was thrown 
into confusion, and at this moment the greatest disasters of the 
day occurred. General David A. Russell, commanding the First 
Division, was killed while rallying the broken line. The Fif- 
teenth suffered severely, losing nearly fifty in killed and 
wounded. Orderly-Sergeant Charles H. Mulligan, of Chester, 
was shot through the head. He had been absent wounded, and 
returned just a week previous. Only the night before his voice 
had been heard in the Sunday evening prayer-meeting. His 
readiness for every duty, his gentle manners, his cheerful face 
had endeared him. to all who knew hini, and though used to 
scenes of slaughter, his comrades wept as they laid him in the 
hastily-prepared grave. In the general advance, later in the day, 
the Fifteenth acquitted itself bravely, and in the pursuit of the 
fiying enemy, shared with the brigade the elation which the vic- 
tory everywhere occasioned. Ojii the 21st, the regiment had a 
skirmish with the enemy, in which two men were killed and 
fifteen wounded. On the 22d, Sheridan again delivering battle 
at Fisher's Hill, whither Early had retreated, the brigade (with 
other troops) moved to the right and at four o'clock p. m. as- 
saulted and captured the rebel works, the Fifteenth (under Cap- 
tain Cornish) displaying great gallantry. The enemy again re- 
treating, our forces pushed forward in pursuit as far as Staun- 
ton, whence, having laid waste the countiy, they retired across 
Cedar Creek, north of Strasburg, Sheridan going to Washington 
and lea\ing General Wright in command of the army. 

The night of October i8th was intensely cold, and in conse- 
quence many men of the Fifteenth, as well as of other regiments, 
were astir at an earlier hour than usual on the morning of the 
19th. The night previous there had been some firing on the 
right, but now it came from the opposite direction. At five 
o'clock a. m. picket firing was heartl far away to the left, but 
attracted no great attention at the iK)int occupied bv the First 
Brigade. Presently an order came down from Brigade Head- 
quarters for the men to get breakfast; this, however, was soon 



FIRST NEW JBRSEV BRIGADE. 219 

followed by the command to- stand to arms. And now the 
sounds of approaching conflict showed that the enemy was ad- 
vancing in force. The order came, "move out at once." Colonel 
Campbell at once led out the regiment, bullets meanwhile flying 
into the very camp, and the confusion on all sides increasing. 
With difficulty the tents were packed and the baggage got off in 
the wagons. The Eighth Corps, as it now appeared, had been 
surprised and the rebels were thronging their camps, bayonnet- 
ing the men before they were awake. The Nineteenth Corps 
soon gave way before the assault on their flank, and the Sixth 
was called to bear the burden of the terrible onset. The volleys 
of musketry were terrific, and tO' add to the perils of the situa- 
tion, our artillery, as soon as captured, was turned upon our 
forming ranks. The Fifteenth, with the First Brigade, after the 
first shock, bravely maintained its reputation for steadiness and 
courage. Major Lambert Boeman was killed, and many of the 
best men of the regiment fell. The color-guard were all killed 
with three exceptions. Peter Gunderman, Color-Sergeant, who 
bore the National Colors, was struck by a fragment of shell 
which first broke the staff and then, striking him in the side, 
bore him to the ground. Corporal John Mowder fell dead with 
the State Colors, and the enemy seized them as they came up. 
This was the only flag in the Fifteenth ever lost; but it was re- 
taken that night and returned next day — Generals Torbert and 
Custer visiting the regiment to- restore it, and saying in short 
speeches, not only that the flag was not lost by any fault of its 
own, but that the Fifteenth had ever done its duty. During the 
action, Colonel Campbell was struck by a bullet which shattered 
his left arm, but he kept command until the greatest danger was 
over, when, weak from the loss of blood, he was forced to mount 
an orderly's horse and leave the field. The word flew along the 
line, "Colonel Campbell is wounded," and even in the excitement 
of the hour the men turned from the observation of the enemy 
to follow him with their eyes. As he rode away he lifted his 
injured hand and motioned to- them, which they interpreted to 
mean, "hold on." 

After falling back a mile and a half, at eight o'clock the ad- 
vance of the enemv had been checked by the Sixth Corps, which 



220 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

held some ridges of ground from which it was difficult to drs- 
lodge it. But the Eighth and Nineteenth Corps were disorganized 
masses. The Eighth had lost all its artillery, most of its camp 
property and wagon train. The Nineteenth lost heavily, but 
not all. Thirty-one pieces of artillery were gone, being as many,, 
within two, as had been captured in the Valley during the opera- 
tions herein recorded. But the end was not yet. At ten o'clock. 
General Sheridan came in sight, a little man on a large black 
horse, riding at full gallop ahead of his staff. The road for 
several miles was filled with stragglers from the broken corps, 
but when Sheridan came in view they waved their hats (the men 
of the Sixth wore caps, and the others hats), and a prolonged 
shout arose along the road. The great mass of men hurrying to 
the rear, turned about and moved the other way as rapidly as 
they had been flying before. But their enthusiasm was nothing- 
compared with what it was when the brave commander dashed 
in front of our lines, waving his hat and shouting, "We shall be 
in our old camps to-night." Then what peals of cheering rolled 
along the ranks I 

•Now all l^ecame quiet except a slow cannonading. Early's 
men were gathering their plunder and drinking whiskey from 
the captured trains till four o'clock p. m., when the army, having 
regained its composure, a general advance was made, resulting 
in the utter discomfiture of the rebels, who were driven at all 
points until they crossed the creek, crowding in haste to get 
away, and onv infantry re-occupied their old camps. Then, 
finally, Custer, with his cavalry, rushed upon them in the streets 
and the narrow defile south of Strasburg and gave them a more 
complete overthrow than was ever experienced in the Valley. In 
this grand assault, we captured nearly two thousand prisoners 
and forty-five pieces of cannon — fourteen more than we had 
lost. Some of these were abandoned in the creek, or became 
immovably wedged in the streets of the town. 

At nine o'clock at night the body of Major Boeman was 
brought in, and was shortlv after sent to Flemington for burial. 
He was at the time of his death in command of the Tenth New 
Jersey Volunteers. A deep sorrow at his loss filled the hearts 
of all, the men grieving as for a personal friend. His influence 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 221 

as a Christian had been very happy upon the command, and did 
not cease with his death. The Brigade had suffered heavily, and 
not a field officer was left. In the Fifteenth there were hardly 
any non-commissioned officers, and the number of those who 
belonged to the regiment at the time of its formation was 
dwindled to a mere handful. Most of the dead were stripped of 
their clothing, and the wounded robbed of shoes and outer gar- 
gamients. In general the wounded were treated with much in- 
humanity, though some instances are known where they received 
kindly treatment. 

This battle closed the fighting of the year in the Valley. On 
the I St of December, the Sixth Corps rejoined the Army of the 
Potomac, and the Fifteenth settled down before Petersburg for 
the winter. It was never again heavily engaged. In the final 
assault upon the enemy's works, in April, 1865, it carried itself 
with conspicuous courage, but suffered only trifling loss. Upon 
Lee's surrender, it was sent to Danville, whence, late in May, it 
proceeded to Washington, and subsequently to Trenton, where 
it was finally disbanded. In all the qualities of courage, en- 
durance and devotion to duty, this was among the foremost of 
New Jersey regiments; to have fought in its ranks on the ghastly 
fields where it won celebrity, may well be counted an honor at 
once lustrous and imperishable. 



15 F B 



222 FIRST XEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



The Twenty-third Regiment. 



On the 4th of August, 1862, President Lincoln ordered that 
a draft of 300,000 volunteers be immediately called to the ser- 
vice of the United States to serve for nine months unless 
sooner discharged. The quota of New Jersey was designated 
as 10,478, and the regulations for the draft were announced, 
providing that an enrollment be immediately made of all able- 
bodied male citizens between the ages of 18 and 45 years, and 
that the draft be made on the 3d of September. The State 
authorities at once took the necessary steps to meet the require- 
ments of this order, but a general desire being manifested by 
the people of the State to fill the quota by voluntary enlist- 
ment, it was announced that volunteers in lieu of drafted men 
would l>e received up to the ist of September, but that the draft 
would positively take place at the time appointed in any town- 
ship which should not by that time have furnished the full num- 
ber of men required. Everywhere throughout the State the 
utmost enthusiasm and energv were exhibited, not only by those 
liable to the conscription, but by citizens of all ages and classes. 
For several days previous to that fixed for the draft, men poured 
into camp by the thousands, and by the evening of the second of 
September the five camps contained 10,800 volunteers. This 
number was subsequently reduced, by medical examination, to 
10,714, being 236 more than the number called for. The camps 
N\ ere as follows, viz. : 

Camp Xo. I at Trenton — Brig.-Gen. N. Halstead, Commander. 
Camp No. 2 at Beverly — Brig.-Gen. G. M. Robeson, Commander. 
Camp No. 3 at Freehold — Lieut.-Col. Height, Commander. 
Camp No. 4 at Newark — Brig.-Gen. Van Vorst, Commander. 
Camp No. 5 at Fleminqton — Brig.-Gen. Alex. Donaldson, Com- 
mander. 

On the morning of the third the State authorities had the 
satisfaction of announcing to the Adjutant-General of the United 




Violet, the Daughter of the Twenty-third N. J. Vols. 
and her Mother, Mrs. E. Burd Grubb. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 223 

States that the quota of New Jersey was in camp, without a 
single drafted man. As rapidly as possible, after being received 
in camp, the men were organized into companies and regiments, 
clothed, uniformed, equipped and placed under instruction, and 
by the loth of October all had left for the field. The Twenty- 
third, commanded by Colonel J. S. Cox, was mustered into the 
United States service on the 13th of September, 1862, and com- 
prised 39 officers and 955 enlisted men, making a total of 944, 
which left the State on the 26th day of September. 

Let us now look at the condition of the country at this time 
and the condition of the army which the Twenty-third New 
Jersey joined. These were what might be called the darkest 
days of the war. In June, McClellan had floundered through 
the Chickahominy, leaving half of his magnificent army dead, 
wounded or prisoners ; in August, Pope had offered himself as 
a target for the victorious legions of Lee, and Lee made a bull's- 
eye of him. The veterans of the Army of the Potomac had 
crowded in front of the victorious rebels on northern soil, and 
onW a few days before the Twenty-third New Jersey joined the 
Sixth Corps the very doubtful battle of Antietam had been 
fought. 

The regiment after leaving New Jersey proceeded to Wash- 
ington and went into camp at East Capitol Hill; a few days 
after this it moved to Frederick City, Md., where it remained 
until the 8th of October, when it started for Bakersville to join 
the First New Jersey Brigade, with which it was ever after 
identified. Remaining at Bakersville until the 30th the regiment 
marched with the brigade towards New Baltimore, and while 
here Colonel Fox was relieved from command by Colonel Tor- 
bert and Lieutenant-Colonel H. O. Ryerson of the Second New 
Jersey Regiment was placed in charge of the Twenty-third. On 
the 1st day of November the march was resumed, and on the 
9th the Potomac was crossed and the regiment pushed on with 
the army in the march towards Fredericksburg. At this time, 
Major Thompson and Aidjutant Winans left the regiment, Lieu- 
tenant Perkins of Company G being promoted to the place of 
the latter. On the i6th the regiment broke camp and proceeded 
to Catlett's Station. and thence to Stafford Court House, where 



224 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

it remained a fortnight, drilling actively. While here, Captain 
E. Burd Grubb of the Third New Jersey, then serving on the 
staff of Colonel Torbert, was commissioned Major of the 
Twenty-third in place of Albert Thompson resigned, and joined 
the regiment on the 3d of December on the march to Falmouth, 
\'a. The regiment approached the river on the afternoon of 
the loth of December and lay along the bank about a quarter 
of a mile back of it. and on the evening of the nth witnessed 
the cannonading and bombardment of the city and the heroic 
crossing of the river in the face of the enemy's fire by the Mich- 
igan regiment, one of the most magnificent sights in all the war. 
At early dawn on the 12th the Twenty-third was ordered to 
cross the river. The men had been aroused an hour before day- 
light and coffee had been made. The daylight broke with a 
thick fog hanging over the river and city of Fredericksburg, 
and as they climbed down the bank and almost groped along 
the slippery pontoon, doubtless the thoughts of many there were 
made more sombre by the death-like pall of mist that hung aljout 
them. On crossing, the regiment was formed in column of 
division in its place in the brigade and went out into the mist, 
which was so thick that one division could scarcelv see the other 
in its front. After marching out about a quarter of a mile from 
the river bank the brigade halted and line of battle was formed ; 
here they remained in line of battle, unable to see anything and 
hearing nothing except muffled sounds in the fog around them, 
not a shot, not a challenge, nothing, until 1>etween nine and ten 
o'clock. 

in the rear of the Twenty-third was heard the trampling of 
horses, and some of the ofiicers, upon investigation, reported a 
very heavy line of Union cavalry just in our rear. Some of the 
officers had also been in front of our line a short distance, and 
they immediately reported to the commanding ofiicer that there 
was a ravine running parallel with our line of battle, which was 
extremely decj) and with ver}- precipitous sides. A short time 
after this, and very fortunately before the fog lifted, the column 
withdrew across the river; l^efore, however, they did succeed in 
crossing, the lifting of the fog permitted their enemy's artillery 
to see them. It was here that General Bavard, the commander 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 225 

of the cavalry, was killed by a cannon shot. About lo o'clock 
the fog lifted, and being- dispersed by the rays of the bright De- 
cember sun, was soon rolled up, and the day was clear and bright. 
With the first lifting of the fog came the sounds of battle from 
the right and left, and when tlie veil of heaven was lifted from 
the spires of Fredericksburg, the veil of battle rose and took its 
place. With the chances and mischances and the management 
and mismanagement of that terrible battle, beyond what hap- 
pened to the Twenty-third New Jersey, we have nothing to do. 

When the fog lifted, and just in front of the Twenty-third, 
about fifty yards away and on the edge of the deep ravine, stood 
a small cedar tree, probably about thirty feet high, and, flying 
from its top was a red and white rag, which for a few moments 
no one paid any particular attention to. Suddenly, from the hill 
directly in front of the regiment and about 1,200 yards away, 
came a puff of smoke, and the Twenty-third New Jersey felt the 
thrill of the first hostile shell it had ever heard. The shell struck 
the ground within ten feet of the root of the cedar tree, and 
bounding over the heads of the men, exploded in the rear. In 
the next three or four minutes half a dozen other shells were 
fired, and it became evident that the cedar tree was the range 
which the rebel cannoneers were using. Having received per- 
mission from Colonel Torbert, Colonel Ryerson crowded the 
regiment forward into the ravine in order to protect them from 
what was becoming very good artillery practice. As the regi- 
ment passed over the edge of the ravine in line of battle, two 
shells were fired, one of which took of¥ Colonel Ryerson's hat, 
without injury to- its ow'ner, and the other exploded just over 
the regiment and a piece of it went through the arm of Private 
Elias Gibbs, of Company A, of Burlington. As soon as the regi- 
ment marched into the ravine it was entirely sheltered from this 
annoying artillerv fire, which was replied to by that time by 
Hexamer's Battery on our side. The batteries on the left, a mile 
or two away, were actively engaged with the enemy's batteries 
on" their front, and a hot fight was going on at Fredericksburg 
on our right. In the woods on our left was Franklin's left grand 
division. We remained in this ravine about two hours, when 



226 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

we were moved by the right fiank out of the ravine to the front 
and ordered to He down in a corn-stubble field, in line of battle. 
Directly in front of the Twenty-third some companies of the 
Fifteenth New Jersey Regiment were deployed as skinnishers 
and were engaged in picket firing with the enemy's skirmishers. 
About opposite the left flank of the Twenty-third was a ravine 
running perpendicular to our line of battle and at a distance of 
about 2CO yards from us a railroad crossed by means of an em- 
bankment and culvert, and along the bottom of this ravine and 
through the culvert trickled a little rivulet. 

I will now again take up Foster's narrative, which says: ''At 
this time the battle was raging all along the line, but the brigade 
was not actually engaged until three o'clock, when Colonel Tor- 
bert was ordered to advance one regiment, supported by a second, 
for the purpose of drawing the enemy from a position which it 
was important to occupy, two regiments of the Third Brigade 
being at the same time placed under his orders. Colonel Tor- 
bert at once ordered Colonel Hatch, of the Fourth Regiment, 
with about 300 men, to advance and take the position, simulta- 
neously directing the left of the picket line with its reserve, under 
Major Brown, of the Fifteenth, to support the movement. Tliese 
troops promptly advanced in the most handsome manner, under 
a severe fire of graj^e and canister, and then, reaching favorable 
ground, led by the gallant Hatch, charged the enemy's position, 
driving them from it with great loss, and capturing twenty-five 
prisoners. Rallying, however, the rebels again returned to the 
fray, and the position becoming critical, the Twenty-third Regi- 
ment under Colonel Ryerson, and two regiments of the Third 
Brigade, were hurried forward as a support — six companies of 
the Twenty-third becoming immediately engaged in fighting 
bravely. At this moment, however, when everything was favor- 
able to our arms. Colonel Torbert was ordered to halt the re- 
mainder of the supports and fall back from the railroad, holding 
it by pickets only." 

The charge of the Fourth down the ravine and up to the rail- 
road was very handsome, the firing and fighting being veiy hot. 
The Twenty-third looked on for a few moments at the first fight 
they had ever seen, which was taking place within 200 yards of 




REV. WILLIAM H. ABBOTT, 
Chaplain of the Twenty-third Regiment. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 227 

them, and nearly opposite their left flank. By the time the blue- 
coats of the Fourth Regiment disappeared entirely from our 
view, driving the rebels back through the underbrush which fills 
the ravine, the order came for the Twenty-third to rise and fix 
bayonets, and immediately afterward the order was given, left 
face, column right, double quick, and away they went along the 
right bank of the ravine and in column of fours, directly on the 
railroad embankment. They had hardly risen before they were 
opened upon by eighteen guns, and from that moment until they 
reached the shelter of the railroad embankment, driving the 
enemy helter-skelter before them, they were subjected to a most 
terrible fire of artillery and small arms. Just before the regi- 
ment changed formation from column to line of battle, one shell 
burst in the ranks of Company K and wounded ten men, and 
but for the fact that the aim of the rebel artillerists was a little 
too high, I do not believe it would have been possible for the 
regiment to have made the magnificent charge that it did. Just 
as the left of the regiment reached the embankment, the order 
was given, right face, left wheel, which brought the regiment 
by wheel up to the railroad embankment, and in making this 
wheel they drove out and scattered before them all the enemy 
who were on our side of the embankment. Just before our line 
of battle reached the embankment, and when they were probably 
within fifty yards of the plunging fire of the artillery from- the 
hills, which was very severe, and also the rifle fire from the 
enemy on the embankment, which was very deadly, some con- 
fusion ensued, and in fact a slight momentary panic, the line 
wavered and fell back probably forty or fifty steps, and the right 
of the line crowded in towards the left so much as to force four 
companies down into the ravine. Almost instantly rallying they 
turned again, and in this turn Captain Jos. Ridgway, of Com- 
pany G, was instantly killed, and Captain Samuel Carr, of Com- 
pany C, Lieutenant James F. Budd, of Company F, and twenty- 
five men were wounded. Very steadily and very gallantly, and 
under a heavy fire, the six companies which were on the right of 
the ravine advanced to the railroad embankment which was the 
position which they were ordered to take. The left of the six 
companies rested on the culvert and the officer in command^ 



228 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

Major Griibb. went there instantly to communicate with the 
officer in command of the Fourth Regiment. Colonel Hatch, his 
senior, who was, of course, then in command of the Twenty- 
third and the Fourth, they acting togetlier. Colonel Hatch 
crossed the culvert, walked through the rivulet to communicate 
with the commander of the Twenty-third, and as he did so 
several shots came tlirough the culvert from the other side. In 
the conference which ensued between the two officers, Colonel 
Hatch stated that he liad just received orders from Colonel Tor- 
l>ert to retire, as it was not desired to bring on a general engage- 
ment at that point. The two officers then agreed to withdraw 
their respective commands, one on one side of the ravine and 
one on the other. As Colonel Hatch turned to go to his com- 
mand across the culvert, and just as he was in the middle of it, 
he was shot through the thigh and fell bleeding into the water. 
Friendly hands lifted him tenderly, though at a cost of two more 
wounded men, before lie was beyond the reach of shot, and car- 
ried him to Falmouth, wliere he died soon after. 

By the fall of Colonel Hatch the command of the detachment 
of the Fourth and Twenty-third devolved upon the commander 
of the six companies of the Twenty-third, Major Grubb, to 
Avhom an aid of Colonel Torbert immediately brought an order 
directing him to withdraw, and this was done along the sides 
of the ravine, time being taken to pour one well-aimed solid 
volley at close range into two small regiments of the enemy 
which had crossed the railroad below the ravine, and coming up 
expected doubtless to capture easily those within. This volley, 
aided by a similar one from the Fourth \^eiTnont, which had been 
moved up below the ravine, l^roke the enemy and caused them 
to retire beyond the embankment. The Twenty-third was con- 
ducted back to its position in the cornfield and remained that 
night on the edge of the deep ravine through which it had 
marched in the morning. 

On the following morning the men were relieved and fell back 
to the shelter of the bluff, where the line was re-formed and 
marched to the place of bivouac. Here the command remained 
until the night of the 15th. when, with the brigade, it re-crossed 
the river, and on the i6th encamped out of the reach of the rebel 




JOHN P. JONES, 

Of the Twenty-third Regiment, 

Executive Committee. 




ISAAC SHIVERS, 
Of the Twentv-third Regiment, Executive Committee. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 229 

fire — on the 20th reaching White Oak Church and going into 
winter quarters. The regiment encamped in a pine woods, which 
was gradually cleared away for the purposes of the camp, and 
remained there in shelter tents, beneath which the men made 
themselve more comfortable by digging holes in the ground, 
some of which went down a distance of seven and eight feet. 
The regiment rapidly perfected itself in drill discipline, in bri- 
gade drills and brigade dress parades, which were here origi- 
nated by General Torbert, and in which the Twenty-third soon 
exhibited marked proficiency. 

On the 8th of January, 1863, orders were given to strike camp, 
and the regiment being drawn up in line of battle had General 
Burnside's celebrated battle order read to them and proceeded to 
join in what is known as the "mud" march. After moving up 
the river beyond Falmouth, the regiment went into bivouac be- 
tween four and five o'clock in the afternoon, in a pine woods 
alongside of the road. As night fell it commenced sleeting, rain- 
ing and snowing, and for the next two days the regiment had a 
most miserable experience, and the exposures and hardships of 
those two days in the sleet and snow in the pine woods without 
tents, caused the death and disablement of many a good man. 
On the morning of the second day the weather cleared up but 
did not get cold, and the mud on the roads seemed to be practi- 
cally fathomless. The Twenty-third was detailed to do duty 
in pulling the pontoons back, not from the river but from the 
roads near the river where they were stuck in the mud, and it 
will appear almost incredible, but it is, nevertheless, true, that 
the average possibility of 400 men on the ropes pulling one pon- 
toon, was to move it 100 yards an hour. In several cases it was 
found necessary to give the men rations of whiskey when they 
had, by almost superhuman efforts, succeeded in pulling the 
pontoons to the top of a small hill. 

General Brooks and some of his staff attempted to cross the 
road where the Twenty-third was working, but the General was 
thrown from his horse into the mud and very narrowly escaped 
drowning. Lieutenant-Colonel Milnor, a few minutes after- 
wards, had almost precisely a similar accident. The mud holes 
through which the pontoons were dragged were in some in- 



230 FIRST SEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

stances eight feet deep. The men worked from early morning 
until after the middle of the afternoon, when the task was ac- 
complished, and the regiment was marched back to its old camp 
at White Oak Church. It was dismal work trying to make 
themselves comfortable by cleaning the snow and sleet out of 
the holes that had been comfortable quarters until their shelter 
tents were removed and they were open to the weather; how- 
ever, this was soon made better, and the regiment re-commenced 
its daily routine of drill and picketing down the Rappahannock 
toward the left of the army, and furnishing details for cordu- 
roying the roads which, during that time, were being made down 
towards the river. 

At this time, on the 9th of March, E. Burd Grubb, who had 
been promoted to be Lieutenant-Colonel on the 24th of Decem- 
ber in place of Lieutenant-Colonel George Brown resigned, was 
made Colonel of the regiment, Colonel Ryerson having been 
transferred to the Tenth New Jersey then doing provost-guard 
duty at Washington. On the 29th of April the Twenty-third 
Regiment crossed the Rappahannock with the brigade two miles 
I:)elow Fredericksburg and took position in a line with the rifle- 
pits facing the enemy, and a little below the Bannard House, in 
which position it remained under occasional shell and picket lire, 
but without any serious engagement, until the morning of the 
3d of May, when the Sixth Corps moved to assault the Heights 
of Fredericksburg. The following description is taken from 
Foster's narrative : "Here, says one who participated in the 
engagement, the men at once became exposed to a shower of 
missiles, and all the horrors of desperate battle were revealed to 
view. Soon the terrible fire of the enemy began to take effect 
in the ranks. Captain Severs, of Company C, being badly 
wounded, and a number of the men more or less seriously in- 
jured. On the right the storming party was seen steadily ad- 
vancing up the Heights, and soon l^reaking into a run, the whole 
line swept over the works, and, turning the gims upon the flying 
rebels, commanded Fredericksburg and the Heights. The enemy 
thus driven from his position, the Twenty-third, with the bri- 
gade, was ordered to advance, and moving rapidly through 
Fredericksburg, proceeded some three miles along the plank road 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 231 

in the direction ,of Chancellorsville, steadily pushing the enemy 
before them." 

At this time the Twenty-third was in column on the right of 
the brigade, and led going up the road which was fringed with 
thick pine trees. Suddenly the right of the regiment emerged 
from these woods. Here the road passed through wheat fields 
then clad in the early verdure of spring, and on the left-hand 
side of the road, about 500 yards from the edge of the woods, 
stood a farm house. General Brooks, who was sitting on his 
horse in the middle of the road, directed Colonel Grubb to place 
his regiment in line of battle on the left of the road with the 
right of the regiment resting on the road. Colonel Grubb gave 
the order, column left, on the right by file into line, and on rid- 
ing into the field where his men were coming into^ line, he saw 
directly in front of them, and at a distance of probably 800 
yards, a line of battle of the enemy, and in the garden of the 
farm house mentioned he noticed several field pieces. The men 
came up rapidly into position, the colors and general guides were 
thrown out on the line, and j.ust as the two' wings of the regiment 
were deployed the enemy opened fire with his artillery. The 
first shell killed the horse of the commander of the regiment, 
killed one of the color guard and severely wounded another, also 
wounding Lieutenant Budd and several of the color company. 
Undismayed by this, the men came quickly into line, and the 
order being given to move forward, went on a double quick. 
As soon as the regiment moved towards the artillery it was lim- 
bered up and driven along the road to a line of battle. The 
enemy moved back slowly and sullenly and disappeared in the 
thick pine woods leaving only its skirmishers, who then briskly 
engaged the skirmishers of the Second which overlapped the 
front of the Twenty-third. The regiment passed a hedge where 
it was halted, and then moving forward again, was halted and 
given a moment's breathing spell just at the edge of the woods 
into which the enemy had disappeared. Each man holding his 
piece at a "ready," they plunged forward into the underbrush 
and pine which was so thick that it was impossible to see into it 
at any distance at all. Going through this perhaps twenty yards 
they came suddenly upon a line of battle of the enemy standing 



232 I'IRST XEIV JERSEY BRIGADE. 

ready for them at a distance of not over sixty yards away. It 
is difficult to say exactly which fired first. The Colonel of the 
Twenty-third gave the order to fire the instant he saw the enemy, 
and he thinks, and always has thought, that his men fired a frac- 
tion of a second Ijefore the rebels did. Charging instantly for- 
ward the line rushed up into the smoke of their own pieces and 
were met by a steady fire from the enemy, and here the battle 
raged with varying fortunes, the Twenty-third striving to reach 
tlie church which was full of the enemy, and enemy who were 
behind the church and thoroughly protected by a rifle-pit, driving 
them back with great loss every time they approached it; this 
was carried on for some twenty-five minutes. The dust and 
smoke, shouts, cheers and groans, made a battle picture that 
none of those who were there will ever forget. Twice the men 
of the Twenty-third reached the front of the church, and some 
there are alive to-dav who placed their hands on the lintels of 
the windows, but to enter the church would have been certain 
death. They fell back a few paces until some came up who were 
ready to try the desperate game. Thus the battle swayed to and 
fro, when, finally. Lieutenant S. H. McCarter came to Colonel 
Grubb, and, placing his mouth close to his ear, shouted to him 
that the left of the Twenty-third had been turned by the enemy; 
1)efore the lieutenant had uttered the last word a bullet from the 
church pierced his heart, and he fell dead. At the same time an 
officer from the right company called to the colonel that the 
right had been turned. The colonel went to the left of the regi- 
ment, ascertained that the One Hundred and Twenty-first New 
York, which had been on the left of the Twenty-third, was not 
in its place, and, seeing imminent danger of capture, ordered the 
Twenty-third to fall l)ack. This retreat was made in as orderly 
a manner as ix)ssible under the circumstances. The enemy did 
not advance immediately, Init by the time the fragments of the 
First New Jersey Brigade had reached a distance of lOO yards 
beyond the woods in their retreat, the enemy came to the edge 
of the woods and opened a deadly fire upon them. The colors 
of the Twenty-third were shot down twice; Lieutenant Sibley, 
of Company A, was shot dead while taking the colors up. Stead- 
ily and sullenly, and firing in the face of their pursuing foe, the 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 233 

men of the Twenty-third withdrew along the road until they 
reached a battery of light artillery perhaps 500 steps from where 
the battle had been fought, and here they halted and turned. 
The Second Division of the Sixth Corps came up, and the enemy, 
which did not approach beyond the fringe of the woods, retreated 
into them, being probably prevented, as much as anything else, 
from pursuing, by the fact that the woods having caught fire 
from the battle were burning hercely in their rear. On the fol- 
lowing morning, the 4th, we fell back, with batteries in line of 
battle and infantry in support, ready for the coming fight. All 
day we lay here, our part of the line not being attacked until late 
in the afternoon, when a fierce assault was made, with which, how- 
ever, we had nothing to do. In this assault the enemy suffered 
terribly from our guns, his line seeming to melt away before 
their discharges until nothing was left. Just before dark one 
company of each regiment was ordered to be deployed as skirm- 
ishers and thrown out 100 yards in advance of the line. This 
detail was intended to be sacrificed, if necessary, to the safety of 
the corps, for, just after dark, orders to begin the retreat were 
given. The Twenty-third was among- the regiments honored 
with this detail as rear-guard. After the rest of the corps had 
proceeded the required distance we saw the artillery, which had 
been stationed with us, limber up and go to the rear at a round 
trot, disappearing presently from view. At length, our orders 
came, and at a double-quick we moved from the field. Once 
we were halted, deployed, and preparations made for a combat 
in the dark, but the rebels gave up the pursuit, being probably 
fearful of an ambuscade, when our retreat was resumed and con- 
tinued until we arrived in the vicinity of United States Ford. 
Here the enemy came up with us, and during the remainder of 
the night maintained a desultory fire, but without any serious 
effect. So exhausted were the men on their arrival at the ford 
that they threw^ themselves on the ground without shelter or 
blankets and were almost immediately asleep. 

Just at dawn on the 5th we crossed the river, and about eight 
o'clock halted for rest, still in full view of the enemy, who soon 
opened fire, continuing it until noon — happily without inflicting 
any damage. Late in the afternoon we received orders to return 



234 FIRST \EIV JERSEY BRIGADE. 

to the river bank to prevent the capture or burning of the pon- 
toon boats, which, though swung to our side, it w-as impossible to 
remove from the water, owing to the sharp pursuit of the enemy. 
Soon after taking position rain began to fall, continuing during 
the entire night, and gradually increasing in volume until it 
seemed a very deluge. The men, of course, suffered the greatest 
discomfort, but with the morning the storm ceased, and a regi- 
ment appearing to relieve us, we marched to our starting point, 
whence on the following day we proceeded to White Oak Church, 
in the vicinity of which we encamped, and for a brief season were 
permitted to rest. 

The loss of the Twenty-third in this action was, officers, four 
killed and seven wounded ; enlisted men, twenty killed, fifty- 
seven wounded and thirty-one missing; a greater loss than that 
of any regiment in the brigade except the Fifteenth. 

On the last day of May the regiment went out for a final tour 
of picket duty, returning to camp on the 3d of June. All thought 
was now turned homeward, and we were hourly in expectation 
of receiving orders from Washington, the term of service of 
the regiment expiring on the 13th of June. But hardly had we 
returned from picket when it was rumored that we were again 
to be sent across the Rappahannock; at first this was deemed 
incredible, but the inevitable "three days' cooked rations" were 
prepared and orders came to march at da}-light the following 
day. 

The regiment then proceeded to the banks of the river, where 
it remained until the following day, when it crossed, and under 
cover of the ensuing night threw up breastworks extending along 
the entire front of our position in front of the city and Heights 
of Fredericksburg. The enemy, immediately upon discovering 
us, opened fire, but without inflicting any loss. Each day still 
further strengthened our w^orks, and a couple of sandbag bat- 
teries for the mounting of some heavy guns were fast approach- 
ing completion, when finallv orders came for our return to Bev- 
erly to be mustered out. Accordingly we re-crossed the Rappa- 
hannock, and marched directly to Falmouth, going thence by 
rail to Belle Plain Landing, and from that point by steamer to 
Washington. In due time Beverly was reached amid general 




CAPTAIN E. H. KIRKBRIDE, 

Of the Twenty-third Regiment. 




U. S. MARSHAL THOMAS ALCOTT, 
Of the Twenty-third Regiment. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 235 

acclamations, and the men separated on furlough, awaiting the 
completion of the preparations for muster-out. 

But the Twenty-third was to see further service before it was 
finally disbanded. Late in June the country was startled by the 
news of Lee's advance into Pennsylvania, and the supposed 
danger of Harrisburg, the Capital of the State. Then a few 
days later came the stirring proclamation of Governor Parker, 
appealing to the people and regiments not yet disbanded, or in 
process of formation, tO' hasten to the aid of a sister State. 
When this appeal was issued less than half of the members of 
the Twenty-third were in camp, but Colonel Grubb promptly 
ordered the "assembly'' and asked all who would follow him to 
step two paces to the front. Not a man hesitated. Transporta- 
tion was at once telegraphed for, but it was late in the day before 
it was furnished. In the dusk of the evening the regiment 
landed at Walnut street wharf in Philadelphia, and, preceded by 
a band, marched through the crowded streets^ greeted at every 
step by peals of cheers, to the Harrisburg depot, whence, it being 
impossible to procure transportation, it proceeded to the corner 
of Twenty-seventh and Market streets, where it was quartered 
for the night. On the following morning, after some delay and 
a great deal of trouble. Colonel Grubb succeeded in procuring a 
train of coal cars in which the men were stowed as comfortably 
as possible, and so carried to Harrisburg, now supposed to be 
closely menaced by the rebels. Reaching the city, however, the 
men, who had been so eager to get on, found no excitement what- 
ever, much to their surprise. The Twenty-third was the first 
regimental organization to reach the city, but, strangely enough, 
it was cooly rather than enthusiastically received by the people 
whom it had made such haste to defend. Soon after arriving 
the regiment was taken out to the river front and set at work 
in throwing up rifle-pits to prevent the passage of the river, 
which at this time w^as very shallow. Here the men worked 
steadily, from the Colonel down, but before the labor was com- 
pleted orders were received directing the return of the regiment 
to Beverly, and, accordingly, the command, without regret, 
quitted the inhospitable capital. Reaching Beverly, it remained 
until the 27th of June, when it was finally dissolved, and the 



23G fIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

men who had fought and suffered in its ranks went their several 
ways. 

New Jersey mav well be proud of the record of the gallant 
regiment whose services are here but imperfectly narrated. In 
every action in which it was called upon to take part it exhibited 
distinguished gallantry, and in the ranks, sadly thinned by the 
casualties of the field, Avere soldiers whose names deserve to be 
written side by side with the best and noblest of the Republic. 
Many of the officers and men again, in other organizations, met 
the nation's foe, and fought through the war, some attaining 
high and deserved promotion. The Thirty-seventh New Jersey 
was largely composed of meni'bers of the Twenty-third ; the 
Fortieth also drew many of its members from the same noble 
organization. The Third Cavalry took many more, while num- 
bers still re-enHsted in the older regiments and earned fresh dis- 
tinction on later fields. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 237 



The Battle of Salem Church. 



General A. P. Alexander told the writer that he knew of no 
instance in which so few troops had won a victory so important 
as that at Salem Church, the result of which was to save Lee's 
army from an assault in the rear by some 20,000 fresh troops 
under Sedgwick — an assault that had it not been arrested miglit 
have been disastrous to our arms. 

To appreciate the importance of this engagement the situation 
should be understood. 

The Rappahannock above Fredericksburg trends southeast, 
until it turns, half a mile above the town, to the southward. 
From Fredericksburg the plank road runs straight out in a 
westerly course to Orange Court House. On May 3d, Hooker, 
who, with his army, had all the winter confronted Lee from 
Banks' Ford, twenty miles down the river, had already by a clever 
"pas" moved the bulk of his army across the river, some twelve 
to eighteen miles above Fredericksburg, thus securing a position 
to the rear of Lee's left and nearer to Richmond than we were; 
and he had left Sedgwick with his corps still opposite Fredericks- 
burg to cross and attack Lee in his rear, if Lee should dare to 
fight at or near Chancellorsville. 

Lee's situation when he found that Hooker was to his left and 
rear, was critical. But leaving Early with about 7,000 men to 
guard the river, opposite Fredericksburg and below, and Wil- 
cox's brigade (ours) on guard for three miles above, General 
Lee had swiftly moved with a portion of his army to confront 
Hooker at Chancellorsville, and had detached Jackson to make 
his celebrated attack on Hooker's right. Hooker had divided his 
army into two parts, and Lee had divided his into three; one. 
Early and Wilcox to guard the crossings near Fredericksburg, 
another, under himself, to confront Hooker at Chancellorsville, 
the third, under Jackson, to swing around Hooker's right flank. 
This remarkable division of his force was in the presence of an 
enemy who had more than two men to his one. Jackson's attack 
16 F B 



238 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

had bfeen successful. Hooker's right wing- had been doubled back 
on his main body ; but that main body, larger than Lee's whole 
army, was in its breastworks in the ^^''ilderness, in front of Lee, 
near Chancellorsville. On that morning, the 3d of ]\Iay, Sedg- 
wick, having crossed the river, had, after two repulses, succeeded 
in capturing Maryes' Heights in front of Fredericksburg, with a 
number of prisoners and seven pieces of artillery. Barksdale's 
brigade and Hay's brigade, of Early's division, thereupon re- 
treated from their position near Fredericksburg, south to the 
Telegraph road in the direction where Early was. This left 
Sedgwick in possession of the Fredericksburg end of the Plank 
road which ran straight to the rear of such of Lee's forces as 
confronted Hooker, ten miles away at Chancellorsville. There 
was nobody now to prevent SedgAvick from marching along this 
road to Lee's rear, except Wilcox, W'ith only our brigade, four 
pieces of Lewis' battery and about sixty cavalry. The brigade, 
as stated, had been guarding Banks' Ford, three and a half miles 
iKirthwest from Fredericksburg, and General Wilcox, when noti- 
fied of the attack on Maryes' Heights, had marched towards the 
fight. But when he neared Fredericksburg he found the enemy 
already in possession of Maiyes' Heights. To delay them we 
were put into line with skirmishers in front and with our artillery 
in place, two pieces on each flank. The Federals advanced a 
heavy line of infantry with skirmishers in front and six pieces of 
artillery; and now, in the skirmish that followed, near Stans- 
bury's house, the gallant Captain McCrar>% of Company D, with 
two or three men, had already fallen when General Wilcox dis- 
covered a heavy body of the enemy advancing up the Plank road. 
In a few moments they would surround us here in the bend of 
the river. 'J'his discovery was followed by a prompt order to 
withdraw. While in sight of our adversaries we retreated in 
comnion time, but very soon a w^ood, that w^as on our left as we 
fell back, obscuring us from view, we made double-quick time. 
General Wilcox in his report of this battle (O. R., Series I, Vol. 
X.W. I 'art I. J)]). 854-861) does not mention our accelerated 
mo\ement, but it is a fact that never were legs more valuable 
than when we were making a straight line for a point on the 
Plank road some three-quarters of a mile beyond where were 



FIRST NBW JERSEY BRIGADE. 239 

our friends, the enemy. We reached "the plank" and stopped to 
get breath. Soon we continued on up "the plank road" to Salem 
Church, where General Wilcox selected a position for battle. 
Wilcox had previousl}' sent Major Collins with his fifty or sixty 
troopers of the Fifteenth Virginia Cavalry down the Plank 
road, with instructions to dismount his men and deploy them as 
skirmishers to delay the enemy's advance. This duty, hand- 
somely done, had given us time to^ do our double-quicking and 
reach the Plank road. Before Major Collins had re-called his 
skirmishers, in order to secure time for the arrival of re-enforce- 
ments that General Lee had been asked for, we were marched 
back from the church toward the enemy, say twelve hundred 
yards or more, to the toll-gate on the Plank road. Here we were 
aligned across the road and with our skirmishers well out in front 
firing, and our four pieces playing on the enemy, we secured a 
further delay. General Wilcox now learned that General Lee 
had sent us re-enforcements, and with General Sedgwick's 
people still not close enough to- seriously annoy us, we faced 
about and marched tO' the position near the church which had 
just been selected for the coming battle. 

DISPOSITION OP TROOPS. 

It is not within the scope of my present work to give complete 
descriptions of battles, but an exception is made as to^ SWem 
Church, because of its importance and because of "the attack 
being directed mainly against General Wilcox." (General R. E. 
Lee's Report, O. R. Series I, Vol. XXV, Part i.) 

Salem Church is on an eminence generally called in Federal re- 
ports "Salem Heights," sloping down towards Fredericksburg. A 
wood surrounded the church and grew thicker as it extended down 
the slope for about 200 yards, to where were open fields, unin- 
terrupted for quite a distance, except by Guest's house, say a 
mile away. The woods around the church stretched far away to 
both the right and the left, thus concealing from view the re- 
enforcements which had been aligned on our flanks. The 
Federals thought there was nobody between them and Lee's rear 
except Wilcox's brigade, a few cavalrymen and four pieces of 
artillery. 



240 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

The Plank road runs east and west, with the church close to 
the road and a schoolhouse thirty yards in front (east). The 
Tenth Alabama, with its left resting- on the church, was south 
of the road; the Eighth was on the right of the Tenth, and the 
Ninth in reserve behind the Tenth, though one of its companies 
was in the schoolhouse and another in the church. On the north 
side of the road (our left) were, first, the Eleventh and then the 
Fourteenth Alabama, with Semmes' brigade on the left of that, 
and Mahone's occupying our extreme left. Kershaw's brigade 
was on the right of ours, and later Wofford's came up and took 
position on the right of Kershaw; but these two brigades were 
in the woods, unseen by the enemy, and neither of them fired a 
gun. They were not in the line of attack. 

The disposition of the Federal forces I take from Series L 
Vol. XXV, Part i, O. R., citing- that volume simply by pages, 
for both Federal and Confederate reports. 

Sedg*wick had taken account of our strength when we were 
drawn up in the open field before him, near the toll-gate; he saw. 
too, the front we covered as we drew back into the woods, and 
now to cover this front he formed his lines, extending part of 
Newton's force beyond the left of our brigade, fully expecting it 
to meet no enemy, and to overlap and flank us. The surprise 
which awaited them when their flanking force encountered two 
brigfades concealed in the woods on our left, was one element in 
their coming defeat. Wilcox had out-generaled Sedg^vick. The 
latter was in possession of the heights at Fredericksburg l>efore 
12 o'clock. He did not attack at Salem Church, three and a 
half miles away, until 5:00, or 5:30 p. m. By that time if 
Sedgwick had made the best use of the force at his command he 
could have swept Wilcox awav and been assailing the rear of 
Lee's lines at Chancellorsville. 

General Sedgwick, in his official report says: "Brooks' divis- 
ion formed rapidly across the road and Newton's upon the right." 
Here General Sedgwick conveys the impression that the whole 
of these two divisions were eng-aged in the attack. This ex- 
pression led the writer of this into a mistake which he elsewhere 
made, and now regrets. Examination of reports of subordinate 
officers shows that the following troops were not engaged : 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 241 

Twenty-seventh New York, Eighteenth and Thirty-second New 
York, and Forty-ninth Pennsylvania, of Brooks' division; 
Scaler's brigade (five regiments) and Thirty-seventh Massa- 
chusetts, and Thirty-sixth New York of Second Brigade of New- 
ton's division, making altogether eleven regiments of the two 
divisions that did not take part in the attack which General Sedg- 
wick had said was made by two divisions. 

General W. T. H. Brooks, commanding his division, says 
(p. 568) he placed on the south of the road (our right) the 
Fifth Maine, Sixteenth New York, One Hundred and Twenty- 
first New York and Ninety-sixth Pennsylvania of his brigade, 
and the Twenty-third New Jersey of his First Brigade, alto- 
gether six regiments. But the Colonel of one of these regiments, 
Sea'ver, Sixteenth New York, says (p. 586) that while he was 
for a time on the south side of the road, he was later ordered to 
the north side and advanced in the woods there. This left five 
regiments of Brooks' division south of the road. The Ninety- 
eighth Pennsylvania and Sixty-second New York of Newton's 
division were, however, also on the south side of the road (Gen- 
eral Wheaton's report, p. 618). These seven regiments on the 
south side of the road opposed the Eighth and Tenth Alabama, 
which were supported by the Ninth. The One Hundred and 
twenty-first New York and the Twenty-third New Jersey were 
in the front of the attacking column. 

On the north side of the road, our left, there were, of Brooks' 
division, the First, Third and Fifteenth New Jersey, One Hun- 
dred and Nineteenth and Ninety-fifth Pennsylvania, making five 
regiments, with the Sixteenth New York added, six. Add also 
three regiments of General V/heaton's brigade (Wheaton's re- 
port, p. 617) and three of Newton's Second brigade, and we 
have twelve regiments attacking the front occupied by the 
Eleventh and Fourteenth Alabama, Semmes' brigade, and Ma- 
hone's, which was partially engaged. 

The Union troops were in high spirits. Hooker, they under- 
stood, had been successful; they had themselves just captured 
Maryes' Heights, with seven pieces of artillery, and Wilcox's 
brigade, that had retreated before them for two and half miles, 



242 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

they were now about to brush away or destroy. As Sedg^vick 
told Guest at his farmhouse, where he made his headquarters, 
they "were after Cadmus (Cadmus Wilcox) and were going- to 
pick him up." 

Three batteries of Federal artillery stationed some fourteen 
hundred yards off opened the battle. Lewis' four pieces replied 
bravely for a time, but their ammunition was soon exhausted. 
Then for perhaps twenty minutes shells came crashing and howl- 
ing through the woods, hunting for our positions, but w'e were 
hugging the ground closely, and the Eighth received no damage. 
Artillery fire ceased, and now. bravely, with banners flying, in- 
fantry lines come forward, their alignment perfect. As they 
advance we have no artillery to check them, for Lewis' four 
pieces have retired. Our skirmishers at the edge of the woods 
fall back before them. Now, they near the little schoolhouse, 
whose doors and windows are shut. A rush is made for its 
shelter. From the cracks between the logs, made by knocking 
out the chinking, shoots a deadly flame of fire. A gigantic lieu- 
tenant, in the effort to batter down the door, falls across the steps ; 
a musket ball coming through the panel has pierced his heart. 
But the brave fellows in blue are too many for the lx)vs in the 
little log hut. They push forward, they crow'd around the house, 
and for a few moments the inmates are prisoners. Still the 
assailants press forward, until at some points they are forty, and 
at others only thirty, yards w^ay, and then a volley makes great 
g-aps in their ranks. The firing now extends from our right front 
far away to the left. The enemy returns our fire, first by volley 
and then promiscuously. In the first firing Colonel Royston is 
Ijadly wounded, and the command of the Eighth devolves upon 
Lieutenant-Colonel Herbert. For a few moments everywhere 
along the line the enemy are staggered, but do not retreat. The 
battle for a time seems hanging in the balance, and then the 
momentum of the attack is such as to break our lines. The Tenth 
Allabama is forced back upon the eight companies of the Ninth, 
that lie some thirty yards behind. The One Hundred and 
Twenty-first New York has passed the left of the Eighth, as, on 
its right, has the Twenty-third New Jersey, which had captured 
tlie company of the Ninth Alabama in the schoolhouse, and is 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 243 

now also south of the church.- But the Eighth Alabama stands 
fast. The enemy in its front are held at bay, while the charg- 
ing column of gallant blue coats is sweeping by its left. By 
great good fortune Company K, the largest company of the regi- 
ment, had been on the picket line, and when it fell back to our 
line of battle this company could not get into its place on the left 
of the regiment because the Eighth and Tenth were already in 
touch, and so' Company K had taken position in rear of our left. 
And now at the very moment when the One Hundred and 
Twenty-first New York and Twenty-third New Jersey Regiments 
reach and are on the line that has just been occupied by the Tenth 
Alabama, Company K faces to the left and the company in its 
front also makes a half-wheel back, and together they pour ter- 
rific fire into the flank of the charging column. The marks of 
musket balls on the south side of the old brick church still tell, 
after forty-five years, of this fatal fire from the left companies of 
the Eighth Alabama on that day. 

The slaughter of the advancing line of the enemy is terrible, 
for the Ninth Alabama has now risen from the ground, and, 
with the Tenth, which has rallied upon it, is mowing them down 
by a fire in front, while the two left companies of the Eighth are 
firing into their flank. The Ninth rushes forward with a yell, 
and in less than five minutes after our line is broken, the Federals 
are in full retreat, leaving the extreme point to which they have 
gotten beyond the church distinctly marked with their dead and 
wounded lying in a line. Promptly as the Ninth Alabama comes 
forward, the whole brigade advances, and with it, on our left, 
two regiments of Semmes' joins in the connter-stroke. The 
carnage was awful. The enemy were in confusion, and all the 
efforts made by their gallant officers to keep them in lines were 
unavailing. We followed them till they had neared the toll-gate 
where were their reserves of infantry and artillery. These, of 
course, were not in sufficient force to attack, and we were ordered 
back, the enemy making no attempt to follow. The Tenth and 
Fifty-first Georgia had charged with us. 

The following is from the interesting report of Federal Divi- 
sion Commander General Brooks : 



244 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

"Immediately upon entering- the dense growth of shrubs and 
trees which concealed the enemy, our troops were met by a heavy 
and incessant fire of musketry, yet our lines advanced until they 
reached the crest of the hill in the outer skirts of the woods, 
where, meeting with and being attacked by fresh and superior 
numbers of the enemy, our forces were finally compelled to with- 
draw." 

The only fresh troops they met were eight companies of the 
Ninth Alabama, and Compan}^ K, of the Eighth, which was im- 
mediately in rear of our left. 

General Brooks says : 

"In this brief but sanguinary conflict this (his) division lost 
nearly 1,500 men and officers." 

Major-General Newton made no report, but his losses were 
also great. 

General Wilcox reports (p. 861) that the brigade buried on 
our front 248; that 189 wounded were left in our hands, and 
that we captured three flags. 

The losses of our brigade near the church were severe, but 
while in pursuit were very few. Besides the wounded lying 
thick along our way, prisoners were taken in the w^oods and in 
the little gullies in the open field. 

Some of the Federal officers in their reports say the Con- 
federates were strongly entrenched. General Wheaton says (p.. 
617) that we were not only strongly entrenched, but had abattis 
in front of our entrenchments. But there is no truth whate\^er 
in either of these statements. It w^as an impromptu battle. Our 
lines \\ere suddenly formed at a point w4iere no fight had been 
anticipated or prepared for. The next morning, however, after 
the fight of the 3d, thinking the enemy might attack again, we 
did dig rifle pits with bayonets, the men scraping up the earth 
with their tin plates. 

Brooks' division had four batteries of artillery, under Colonel 
John A. Tompkins, and Newton's division three, under Captain 
Jeremiah McCartney, which, counting six pieces to the batteiy, 
would aggregate forty-two guns. Only three of these batteries, 
however, were actively engaged — Williston's, Rigsby's and Hexa- 
mer's. One section of Hexamer's was across the Plank Road, 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 245 

the other two sections tO' the left. Rig-sby's and Hexamer s were 
on the rig-ht of the road, says Colonel Tompkins (p. 566). 

General Brooks in his report (p. 568) says: 

"The lines were re-established near the batteries of Rigsby, 
Parsons and Williston." 

General Lee was with us at Salem Church 011 the next morn- 
ing after the battle, and went over the lines. He had, too, of 
course received all the reports of his subordinates before he 
made his report, September 21st, and in this report he says: 

"The enemy's artillery played vigorously upon our position 
for some time, when his infantry advanced in three strong lines, 
the attack being directed mainly against General Wilcox, but par- 
tially involznng the brigades on his left. The assault was made 
with the utmost firmness, and after a fierce struggle the first line 
was repulsed with great slaughter. The second then came for- 
ward, but immediately broke under the close and deadly fire 
which it encountered, and the whole mass fled in confusion to the 
rear. They were pursued by the brigades of Wilcox and Semmes 
(only two regiments of Semmes'), which advanced nearly a mile, 
when they were halted to' re-form' in the presence of the enemy's 
reserve, which now appeared in large force. It being quite dark, 
General Wilcox deemed it imprudent to push the attack with his 
small numbers, and retired to his original position, the enemy 
making no attempt to follow." (O. R. Series, Vol. XXV, Part 
I, p. 811.) 

It was the One Hundred and T\venty-first New York, under 
Colonel Upton, and the Twenty-third New Jersey, Colonel 
Grubb on its right, that broke through our lines, driving the 
Tenth Alabama back for a time upon the Ninth, and neither of 
these gallant officers claims, in his report of the battle, that we 
had overwhelming forces that came up to our help. Colonel 
Upton says specifically : 

"The enemy opposite the centre and left wing broke, but 
rallied again twenty or thirty yards to his rear." 

So far from seeing "overwhelming numbers" that were not 
there, as did many others. Colonel Upton did not even see the 
eight companies of the Ninth, upon which the Tenth rallied, and 
these constituted our only "re-enforcement." 



24C FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

The Eighth Alabama was subjected to the supremest test of 
courage and disciphne when it stood fast and held the enemy in 
its front at bay, while the two left companies wheeled to the left 
and fired down the flank of a line passing the regiment only a 
few feet away. It was this flank fire and the simultaneous fire 
received in their front that strewed the ground with a long line of 
our gallant assailants; and it was this cross-fire that turned the 
tide of the battle. No troops could have stood against such a fire, 
and when the advance line was driven back over their supports 
and closely followed, all were naturally thrown into- confusion. 
The company of the Ninth that was in the church, and protected 
by its thick brick wall, did effective work. One of these, an 
Irishman, afterwards said : "Faith, and I delivered the weight- 
iest doctrine that ever went out from that pulpit !" 

Shoes, that were so much needed, were among our spoils. An 
officer reported that during that night, while searching the woods 
for the wounded, he found "Old Robinson," an Irishman of 
Company A, sitting on the ground by the side of a badly wounded 
Federal officer, quietly smoking his pipe. 

"What are you doing here, Robinson?" The gruesome reply 
was: "I'm waitin' on this man here. He's got a bit of a job to 
do. I took him for a dead one, and was after pulling the boots 
off of him, when he said he was dyin', and asked me to wait till 
he was dead. And, faith, he's very slow about it !" 

We buried the Federal dead in a long trench, near the church, 
and allowed General Sedgwick to send surgeons to assist us in 
caring for his wounded ; but we had not allowed him to "catch 
Cadmus." 

The loss of the regiment in this battle was forty-four killed 
and wounded. In Lieutenant-Colonel Herbert's repyort of the 
battle, Lieutenant C. R. Rice, Captain W. W. Mordecai and 
Lieutenant W. Sterling were mentioned as conspicuous for 
gallantly, and all were said to have acted with steady brave^^^ 
The "soldiers lately enlisted," conscripts, were specially men- 
tioned. General Wilcox, in his report of the battle (O. R. Series, 
Vol. XXV. p. 860), says: 

"Colonel Royston, Eighth Alabama (and, after his severe 
wound, Lieutenant-Colonel H. A. Herbert, who commanded the 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 247 

Eighth Alabama) ; Colonel Pinckard, Fourteenth Alabama ; 
Colonel William, H. Forney, Tenth Alabama; Colonel J. C. C. 
Sanders, Eleventh Alabama, and Major J. H. J. Williams, Ninth 
Alabama, were intelligent, energetic and gallant in commanding, 
directing and leading their men." 

The men's roll of honor was : 

Private Allen Boiling, Company A. 

Private J. N. Howard, Company B. 

Sergeant Robert Gaddes, Company C. 

Sergeant P. H. Mays, Company D. 

Sergeant T. A. Kelly, Company F. 

Private Patrick Leary, Company I. 

Private James Reynolds, Company K, killed. 

The next day, May 4th, General Lee had planned an assault on 
Sedgwick, but the troops sent to connect on our right with Early, 
who was still on the left of Sedgwick, were slow in getting into 
line, and the attacks they made were largely unsuccessful, 
although about dark it was ascertained that Sedgwick had all 
day been retreating over a pontoon bridge at Banks' Ford. Gen- 
eral Wilcox, having asked permission to send a regiment in pur- 
suit, ordered forward the Eighth. We double-quicked in that 
direction. Nearing the enemy, we could hear the rumble of 
artillery, and the "shouting of the captains" as the rear of the 
command was being hurried in the darkness over the river. 
Everywhere in the woods we picked up prisoners. Captain 
Fagan, whose figures may always be relied on, records that the 
prisoners captured by our Brigade were 1,020, and the rest of 
our troops engaged brought in others, the total being about 2,000. 

(Signed) Hii^ary A. Herbert, 

Lt.-Col. Eighth Alabama.. 



248 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

General D. D. Wheeler's Account of Salem Heights, then Captain, 
General Brooks' Staff. 

Fredericksburg, Va., April 6th, 1910. 
My Dear Grubb — I have your two letters, the last enclos- 
ing- a letter from Colonel Herbert and his account of the action 
at Salem Heights, Virginia, May 3d, 1863, the first asking me 
lo write a letter to correct some statement of Colonel Rich- 
ardson regarding "the Twenty-sixth New York" — I presume 
you meant the Twenty-sixth New Jersey — also to state which 
brigade your regiment, the Twenty-third New Jersey, belonged, 
and the number of brigades of the First Division, Sixth Corps, 
General W. T. H. Brooks commanding, that were engaged in 
the action of Salem Heights, to which I take pleasure in replying 
The Twenty-sixth New York did not belong to the First Divi- 
sion, Sixth Corps, nor did the Twent3^-sixth New Jersey — the 
latter belonged to the Second Brigade, Second Division, Sixth 
Corps. The Twenty-third New Jersey belonged to the First 
Brigade — Torbert's Brigade, First Division, The First Brigade, 
four regiments of the Second Brigade and two regiments of the 
Third Brigade of the First Division took part in that action. 
Brigadier-General D. A. Russell, with three regiments of his 
Third Brigade and one of the Second, was extended to take in 
that part of the field south of Deep Run, vacated by the First 
and parts of Second and Third Brigades, when the other troops 
of the division were withdrawn and placed in march to take the 
head of the column on the plank road leading to Salem Heights. 
After the action. General Brooks sent me to bring General Rus- 
sell's command to the front. I found him withdravving his 
troops in the direction of Fredericksburg in anticipation of orders 
to rejoin his division. He was very much put out that General 
Brooks attacked with what was practically only two small 
brigades. He said General Brooks would have the reputation 
of having made the attack with the full strength of his division, 
that if he, Russell, had l)een there with his command it would 
have made all the difference in the world, and I think so too. 
I thought, at the time, and have ever since thought, that our 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 249 



people underestimated the num-ber of the enemy in our front and 
on our jflanks at the time of the attack, about 5 P. M. 

The Second and Third Divisions should have been pushed 
forward immediately after the capture of Marye's Heights, 
instead of waiting for General Brooks to take the lead. Know- 
ing' our troops were to charge I went to the north side of Deep 
Run to a point near Hazel Run and saw the troops of the Second 
and Third Divisions as they charged up Marye's Heights ridge. 
It was a beautiful sight. It was after that charge that General 
Brooks was ordered to leave troops to occupy the ground his 
division then occupied and with the remainder to move to the 
plank road. From, their position south of Deep Run these troops 
marched at least two miles to reach this road, four miles farther 
to Salem Heights, loaded down with eight days' rations. It 
took time for General Russell to deploy his troops to cover the 
division ground and to get the other part of the division in 
column and to march the two miles. When General Brooks 
reached the plank road with his command he was directed to take 
the advance in the direction of Salem Heights. It was a slow 
march from south of Deep Run ; valuable time was lost in many 
ways. You know personally some of the troops "got lost and 
went sight-seeing through Fredericksburg." If the Second and 
Third Divisions had pushed forward as they should have done, 
and General Brooks had followed instead of losing so much 
time for him to take the advance and then to march four miles 
farther, the action would probably not have taken place at Salem 
Heights and the battle of Chancellorsville would have been a 
different story. 

General Lee says, in his report of that action, that General 
Sedgwick's command consisted of the Sixth Corps and part of 
another — the part of a corps referred to by him was all or part 
of the Second Division, Second Corps, General Gibbon com- 
manding, who withdrew his troops and recrossed the river after 
Marye's Heights was captured. I have rarely read a report of 
a battle or action in which I had taken part that I did not think 
contained errors, nor listened to a paper prepared for children, 
friends or re-unions that was what I considered quite honest. 
They are sometimes highly colored, often contain remarks that 



250 FIRSl^ NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

are incorrect, which modest men would not utter and brave men 
do not care to listen to. 

The great mistake the enemy made on the third of May, ahnost 
unpardonable it seems to me, was that their zvhole line did not 
advance after we were repulsed. If their zvhole line had ad- 
vanced I am sure we would have been captured. The troops we 
had fought, and immediately upon our troops giving way, did 
make an effort to capture Williston's Battery, but when he turned 
double-shotted canister upon them they were obliged to retire; 
those that attacked his left front got pretty close to him. But 
their charge lacked vim and fire; they acted as if they had had 
enough. It was then and there.that I won my ]\Iedal of Honor. 
The enemy should not have allowed us, the First Division, to 
remain practically idle all day the 4th. We should have been 
captured ; we should not have been allowed to recross the Rai>- 
pahannock at Banks' Ford, the enemy should have prevented our 
crossing. When we were dri\en back from Salem Heights we 
re-formed on General Newton's division. I have always thought 
that the reason wdiy General Brooks was brought from such a 
distance, causing so much delay, and placed in advance to follow 
and press the enemy on the third, was to give him a chance ! 
Newton and Howe had had theirs at Marye's Heights. When 
our troops broke, General Brooks turned to me and said ''Twenty- 
five years in the army, Mr. Wheeler, and ruined at last." It was 
pathetic. I have never felt such pity for anyone as I felt for him 
then and ever since then. General Brooks and some members 
of his staff went into the fight with Colonel Upton's One Hundred 
and Twenty-first New York. The regiment lost over two hun- 
dred and fifty men. General Brooks did not know that the Third 
Division was so near, aiid when I told him and that we could 
re-form on it, his face took on a different expression. But, oh! 
why didn't Newton push his division forward to our support? 
All of the above would have been a different storv if General 
Grant had been in command of the Army of the Potomac. While 
we. including "our friends the enemy," lost thousands of men 
l^efore he assumed command, I do not consider we had real war, 
real hell, as General Sherman said, until after he took conimand 
of the .Army. A few words more and I will close this long letter. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 251 

One evening, not long after the war, I was sitting in front of 
our Headquarters on the Rio Grande, when I saw a pretty tough 
mihtary looking man coming up the walk carrying a thin, lean, 
old-fashioned carpet bag. I rose from my seat; he asked if these 
were General Getty's Headquarters. I told him they were, but 
the General was absent, that I was his adjutant-general, and I 
asked if I couldn't attend to- his business. His reply was, ''I am 
General Cadmus Wilcox, late of the C. S. A., one of the last 
Ditchers. I'm one of those wdio went to Mexico, but I've had 
enough of it and have come back tO' God's country. The United 
States will never have a more loyal, faithful citizen than I will 
be in the future; I haven't anything; I w^ant to get to New 
Orleans, where, I think, I have some friends." I said "Great 
Scott, is it possible. I would rather see you than anyone in the 
world. I was an aide-de-camp to your old friend General W. 
T. H. Brooks, and you whipped us so badly at Salem Heights 
that I would like tO' show you how much we think of you and 
how much we desire to make you comfortable ; now, you be m.y 
guest until the steamer leaves Brazos next week and I'll fix you 
out all right." Tears canie into his eyes and he said he would 
accept my offer gladly ; that I little knew how happy I had made 
him'; that it was the first real soldier talk he had heard for a 
long time and he was happy to be back. General Getty, who 
called him Cadmus, and the other officers met hini' in the same 
spirit. He remained with me about a week. I assisted him, and 
got him transportation to New Orleans. Of course, we had a 
great deal to say of the fight at Salem Heights. He told me that 
when, from captured prisoners, he learned that General Brooks 
was in his front he determined to whip Bully Brooks (General 
Brooks was known at West Point and in the Army as Bully 
Brooks) if it cost him every man of his command. He also told 
me that General Lee supposed that General Sedgwick had two 
corps under his command and that General Lee sent a sufficient 
force to hold that number of troops in check, and to whip them 
if they could; that General Lee fully realized the necessity of 
repulsing General Sedgwick and was there in person and gave 
his personal supervision. What was of far more importance to 
our corps, what was its salvation in fact, was the splendid vie- 



252 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

tory of the Second Division, General A. P. Howe commanding,, 
on the 4th of May, over the troops of McLaws, Anderson and 
Early, fighting under the eye of General Lee, who was on the 
ground in person. Had General Lee's attack been successful the 
whole corps should have been captured. (Read the reports of 
General Howe, Colonel L. A. Grant, Fifth Vermont, command- 
ing the Vermont Brigade, and the report of other officers of the 
action of the 4th of May.) I have always had a similar feeling 
for General Lee on account of his repulse at that time that Lve 
always had for General Brooks for his repulse at Salem Heights, 
though there are far better reasons for the latter's repulse than 
the former's. H General Lee had massed his troops against our 
right, the right of the First Division, cut us off from Banks' 
Ford, driven us back over the Marye's Heights ridge, and on 
down to and across Deep Run, it w^ould have been different. We 
expected him to attack tis, not the Second Division, for it was 
the proper thing for him to do, but we were practically unmo- 
lested all during the 4th of May. Our First Division retired to 
Banks' Ford in good spirits and without anv confusion \vhatever 
beyond the fact that it w^as night, otherwise it would have been 
like returning from dress parade. 

It always makes me weary, in fact quite tired, to listen to a 
lot of old Yanks or old Rebs talking of the war. They all find 
fault and criticise, just as T am doing. You always tried to 
draw me out about that fight and at last you have succeeded, but 
it's the last time, for I do not like it. We all did the very best 
we could ; we all won victories and we all made mistakes and 
suffered defeats. There are so many nice cool bottles, so many 
Scotch and sodas and straight whiskies to be drunk, so many 
good things to eat. so manv pipes and cigars to smoke, so much 
business and scandal to talk about when wc old fellows meet, 
that I would say. leave the war to military students, who treat 
the whole matter in a business way, without fear or favor to 
any person or to either side, coloring nothing, and who possibly 
will learn something that will be of benefit to the whole country 
in any future war. As a matter of fact the corporals, sergeants, 
lieutenants, captains and colonels know mighty little of a cam- 
paign or fight, beyond acts of heroism of their little commands; 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 253 

they fight or run, thinking little of what is going on on their 
flanks or in their rear. Nearly fifty years after the war I have 
no doubt thousands of people are wondering why their fathers 
were not better treated and appreciated, for they have listened 
to their father's talks, read his wonderful description of battles 
in which he took part — the leading or most important part, or 
if he didn't his friend John Doe did — fathers who knew and 
understood mighty little of what was going on at the time, but 
having spent a great deal of time in reading reports and talking 
with old fellows, he is able to talk like a military genius and 
give his remarks any kind of coloring he desires. 

Pardon this letter, my dear old comrade. I'll never do it again, 
not even for you. It is written for you only. 

Many thanks for your kind' invitation to visit you at your 
charming home and meet your Yahoos on the 3d of May. I 
appreciate your kindness. Give them all my love, and tell them 
I hope we will meet in the great Hereafter and fight the Salem 
Heights fight over again, when we surely will have General 
Russell and his troops with us, the Third Division will give us 

better support, and we will make the Johnny Rebs run like . 

I am, going west the first part of May. Please send the Italian 
greyhound, male or female, female preferred, as soon as you 
can. I'm waiting. 

Mrs. Wheeler joins me in love for Mrs. Grubb, yourself and 
children, a great deal for that fine lovely boy of yours. 

Last Sunday, the 3d of April, was the anniversary of our 
entrance into Richmond, where as Assistant Adjutant-General 
to the Commanding General I issued the first order issued by a 
Yankee in that city. 

Always yours sincerely, 

D. D. Wheki-ER, 
Brig-General U. S. A., Retired. 
A. D. C. on the Staff of General Brooks 
at the battle of Salem Church. 

General E. Burd Grubb, 
Edgewater Park, 

New Jersey. 

17 E B 



254 FIRST NEIV JERSEY BRIGADE. 



Report of Colonel E. Burd Grubb, Twenty=third New Jersey 

Infantry. 

Hdqrs. Twenty-third New Jersey Voeunteers, 

May 10, 1863. 

Sir : In compliance with orders from brigade headquarters, I 
have the honor to report that my regiment left camp, near White 
Oak Church, at 3 P. M. April 28th, and bivouacked upon the 
bank of the Rappahannock, which we crossed at daylight on the 
morning of the 29th. 

My regiment was deployed on the front at sunrise on the 
29th, relieving the One Hundred and Twenty-first New York. 

On Thursday the regiment was relieved. 

Nothing special occurred on Friday or Saturday. 

On Sunday (May 3) was again ordered to the front, and had 
one officer and two men wounded from shells. 

About noon was ordered to follow the brigade, and marched 
through Fredericksburg and about three miles out on the Plank 
road, when I was again ordered to the front to support the 
Second New Jersey Volunteers, skirmishing. As soon as my 
regiment emerged from the woods, I was opened upon by a 
battery posted in the road, the second shot from which wounded 
an officer and kiUed a man. Under the immediate orders of 
General Brooks, I advanced, keeping but a few paces in rear of 
the skirmishers, and came upon the enemy, posted in a thick 
woods and in a brick church. The nature of the ground was 
such that my line was somewhat broken up on entering the woods. 
Nevertheless, my men engaged the enemy with great spirit. 

Together with Colonel Upton, of the One Hundred and Twenty- 
first New York, immediately upon my left, I made several efforts 
to drive the enemy from their position in and around the church, 
but (such was the severity of their fire) without success, and, 
se\eral regiments upon my left giving way, I was compelled to 
fall back. Upon emerging from the woods, the fire was exceed- 
ingly deadly, and some confusion ensued, but I succeeded in 
re-forming in rear of a battery some soo yards from the wo<ids. 




E. BURD GRUBB, 
Colonel of the Twenty-third Regiment in 1863. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 255 

My regiment was not actively engaged again, and the next 
evening recrossed the river at Banks' Ford. 

My officers all behaved nobly, but I desire to mention as con- 
spicuous for their coolness and gallantry Major W. J. Parmen- 
tier and Adjutant Downs; also First Lieutenant F. L. Taylor, 
commanding Company H, who exhibited the most brilliant cour- 
age, leading his men several times to the front under a most 
galling fire. Corporal Fenton, Company B, who, in the absence 
of the color-sergeant, bore the national colors, also acted with 
the utmost coolness and courage. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant. 

E. BuRD Grubb, 
Colonel Twenty-third Nezv Jersey Volunteers. 
Capt. J. T. Whitehead, 

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General . 



256 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



Unveiling of Monument at Salem Church. 



Prayer. 

Almighty and Everlasting God, dwelling in light where no 
darkness is, vouchsafe Thine aid as we approach to worship 
Thee, the author of life and source of all our blessings. In 
Nature's temple, beautified with the freshness and verdure of 
Spring, we come to the throne of grace, encouraged by Thy word 
and endorsed by Thy Son, bringing the spirit of praise for 
Providential leadings and undergirdings until this hour. Thou 
art worthy to receive the richest gifts of contrite hearts. As- 
sembled at this historic and memorable place, made such by the 
devotion and sacrifice of brave men, we invoke Thy favor and 
direction in the exercises of this day. We thank Thee for the 
men whose names we cherish, whose deeds we commemorate and 
desire to honor. As we dedicate this monument to the heroic 
service rendered our country in the days of its peril by the regi- 
ment whose name it bears, may the spirit awakened here abide 
and teach lessons of patriotic consecrated manhood. We bless 
Thee for citizenship in this most attractive of lands, blessed with 
national greatness, internal resources unmeasured, opportunities 
beyond compare, and advantages to greet her most enthusiastic 
sons. God of our fathers, we thank Thee for a re-united coun- 
try; having one flag, one constitution and one destiny, sharing 
the unlimited benefit of established peace. Grant the prosperity 
that marks the advancing year may continue its supply to every 
section of this great country, giving all people, north, south, east 
and west, cause to call Thee blessed in Providential oversight. 
May we as a nation continue to hold forth the olive-branch of 
peace until nations shall hold war no more, and the sceptre of the 
King of Kings shall everywhere prevail. 

Bless Thy sen'ant, the President of the United States, the 
Governors of the several States and all in authority. Endue 
them with a competency of Divine wisdom, that they may ad- 
minister their trusts in the fear of God and with a tnie heart. 




Monument Erected to the Twenty-third Regiment. New Jersey Volunteers, by 
the State of New Jersey, on the Battlefield of Salem Church, \ a. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 257 

We thank Thee for gracious favor shown to the Commis- 
sioners, whose thought and purpose for committed trust finds 
completion in this occasion. Be pleased to help the comrades 
who still remain in the afternoon of life, burdened with infirm- 
ities and cares, to a joyful hope of a blessed future, born in the 
heart through faith in the Redeemer of mankind; and all gath- 
ered here with thine eternal helpfulness, that in all our works, 
begun, continued and ended in Thee we may glorify Thy holy 
name, and gain everlasting- life through Jesus Christ our Lord, 
who taught us to say : 

Our leather who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy 
Kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth as it is in Heaven. 
Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses 
as we forgive them that trespass against us, and lead us not into 
temptation, but deliver us from evil; for Thine is the kingdom, 
and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. 



Address by R. W. Hunter. 

I esteem it a high honor tO' have been designated by his Ex- 
cellency, Governor Swanson, to represent the State of Virginia 
and himself, on this interesting occasion. He has requested me 
to express his regret that very important official eng'agements 
have deprived him of the pleasure of meeting and greeting you 
and extending tO' you a cordial welcome to old Virginia, And 
I feel fully authorized to go further and to say, for the Governor, 
for the Old Mother State, and for the good people who worship 
at Salem Church, that when you come again on a Sunday, as you 
did on Sunday, May 3d, 1863, that no resistance will be offered 
and that you will be given the front seats and the "Amen" 
Corner and be allowed to lead in the singing" and the prayers and 
the collection. 

You have come on a sacred mission and with a noble purpose 
— to do honor to the valiant men to whom you were bound by 
the tie of comradeship — whose elbows you touched in battle, and 
by whose sides you marched on many a weary day and fought 
on many a historic field. 



258 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

New Jersey honors herself by perpetuating in granite and 
other enduring forms the heroism of her sons, who went forth 
to war at her bidding, and reflected kistre upon her history by 
their courageous bearing in battle. 

This monument does not commemorate a victory. As Gen- 
eral (then Colonel) Grubb states in his official report, "his men 
engaged the enemy with great spirit," and, "made several efforts 
to drive the enemy from their position in and around the church" 
but "such was the severity of their fire" he "was compelled to 
fall back." But it was a game fight, and its casualties were 
greater, I believe, than those of our recent Spanish War. and 
Colonel Brown, who commanded the First Brigade of the Sixth 
Corps, to which the Twenty-third was attached, testifies in his re- 
port that "the Twenty-third was attached on the left of the road 
under Colonel Grubb, and * * * its heavy loss shows how 
obstinately it was fought by its brave young commander." We 
are glad this "brave young commander" survives and is with us 
to-day, to witness the unveiling of this monument to the men he 
had the honor to command on this hotly contested field ; and we 
hope that no obstacles in the future will ever be interposed when 
he wishes to go to a church on a Sunday. 

Virginia — named for England's Virgin Queen-^for whom I 
speak to-day, and bid you welcome — has many titles to renown. 
In recognition of her unflinching loyalty and chivalrous devotion 
to tlie House of Stuart, Charles II, upon his restoration to the 
throne, caused the arms of Virginia to be quartered on the coin 
of the realm, with those of England, Scotland and Ireland, with 
the inscription : "En dat Virginia Quartem." Hence the sobri- 
cpiet "The Old Dominion." You know enough of the history, 
geography, and development of the United States to recognize 
the validity of her title as the "Mother of States and of States- 
men." If there is a lingering doubt in the minds of any Jersey- 
men here present. I, here and now, as the representative of our 
Governor, invite you all to attend the Jamestown Ter-Centennial 
Exposition on Virginia and New Jersey days, when Virginian 
hospitality, illuminated and inflamed by "Jersey lightning," will 
clear the skies of all clouds and dissipate all doubts. 




MAJOR HUNTER, 

Of Virginia, who represented Governor Swanson at the Dedication 

of the Monument. 




GOVERNOR SWANSON, 
Of Virginia. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 259 

And you \\ill agree with me, I am sure, when I predict that 
Virginia will soon be known to the world by another title — "The 
Monumental State." It is not extravagance but sober truth to 
say that no' epoch in the world's history has been more prolific 
of heroic achievement than the years from 1861 to 1865, and no 
part of the earth's surface more deeply dyed with patriotic blood, 
than the area embraced within the limits of our Old State as they 
were at the beginning of our great war. 

These achievements and this blood will be recognized and 
signalized; and other regiments, following the example New 
Jersey has set them to-day, will mark with monuments and parks 
the fields where heroes fought and fell. 

There are a hundred monuments in Virginia to our Confed- 
erate dead, and the day is not far distant when every court- 
green in the State will have its memorial shaft in honor of the 
valiant men who fought under the banner of the Southern Cross. 

Let the monuments be built and faithful records made to attest 
our respect and admiration for the heroic men of both the North 
and the South, who 

"Disdaining fear, and deeming light the cost 
Of hfe itself in glorious battle lost." 

From a carefully prepared chronological list of engagements, 
embracing battles, combats, actions and skirmishes — all of them 
deemed of sufficient importance for a place in the Official Rec- 
ords — it appears there were in all 1,404 armed collisions within 
the limits of this State, and a part of the work in which I am now 
engaged, as Secretaray of Virginia Military Records, is the loca- 
tion, on a map, of the battle-fields on Virginia soil with a red 
stamp of cross-swords, a map which will present, at a single 
glance, a theatre of conflict more crowded with heroic exploits 
and tragic scenes than Holland and the Netherlands, when the 
Prince of Orange fought Louis XIV. almost to the death, or 
Prussia, when Frederick the Great made heroic resistance during 
seven bloody years to the combined armies of Russia, Austria 
and France. From this brief recital you will agree that Vir- 
ginia's title as the "Monumental State," if not now, soon will be 
established. 



260 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

And what can be more impressive to the generations to come, 
or conducive to true and broad patriotism, than these memorials, 
which rise in purity and stilhiess above the din and smoke of our 
modern materiahstic life, in honor of the heroic men of both 
sections, who fought with unsurpassed courage for their convic- 
tions of right and duty? 

As was said by Pericles, more than 2,000 years ago, when 
speaking of his countrymen who had fought at Marathon : 

"In all time to come, whenever there shall be speech of great 
deeds, they shall be had in remembrance." 

You who were soldiers in the Army of the Potomac feel proud 
of its achievements and of your participation in them, and you 
can understand and appreciate the pride we old Confederates 
feel in having rendered service and sacrifice with Lee and Jack- 
son for a cause which we believed to be as righteous as any for 
which a soldier ever fought. As President Roosevelt expressed 
the idea in his recent address at the Jamestown Exposition : "We 
can feel the same pride in the valor, the devotion and the fealty 
toward the right, as it was given to each to see the right, shown 
alike by the men who wore the blue and by the men who wore the 
gray." 

I was at Appomattox, and recall vividly and with sincere ap- 
preciation the magnanimity, consideration and courtesy there 
shown by General Grant and his victorious army. The South 
honors General Grant for his potential intervention when pol- 
troon politicians proposed to try General Lee for treason. And 
we doff our hats to Swinton, the Historian of the Army of the 
Potomac, for his just and generous tribute, when he wrote : 
"Nor can there fail to arise the image of that other Army that 
was the adversary of the Army of the Potomac — and which who 
can ever forget that once looked upon it? — 'that array of tattered 
uniforms and bright muskets,' that body of incomparable infan- 
try, the Army of Northern Virginia, which for four years carried 
the revolt on its bayonets, opposing a constant front to the 
mighty concentration of power brought against it ; -.vhich, receiv- 
ing terrible blows, did not fail to give the like, and which, vital 
in all its parts, died only with its annihilation." 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 261 

And, gentlemen of the Monument Commission, I am sure I 
speak for every southern soldier when I thank you for your 
graceful compliment to the "Brave Boys of the South" who met 
the Twenty-third New Jersey on this hotly contested field, in 
•dedicating one of the tablets of your monument to their memory. 

New Jersey and Virginia are old acquaintances and old friends. 
They were among the original thirteen States which won our 
independence. They have sentiments and traditions in com- 
mon — Colonial and Revolutionary — which are not shared by 
the younger States of the West. Our forefathers fought together 
at Trenton under our Immortal George. In its streets the 
"gallant young James Monroe, with his command, charged and 
captured Rahl's battery, while a body of Virginia infantry 
flanked and cut off the retreat of a Hessian regiment in their 
flight toward Princeton." It is, indeed, a proud distinction that 
New Jersey can boast of, in that upon her soil the Monroe Doc- 
trine was first practically exemplified, and in that New Jersey 
was the chief battle-ground of our Revolutionary War. And 
Jerseymen and Virginians were together at Yorktown, not only 
when Washington administered the coup de grace to Cornwallis, 
but also a hundred years later, when the Yorktown Trophy, for 
the best drilled and equipped military command at the Yorktown 
Centennial Celebration, was awarded to the New Jersey bat- 
talion, and received by General Grubb with the modesty char- 
acteristic of Washingtonian valor. We recall, too, with pleasure, 
the "Post Bellum Campaigns of the Blue and Gray in 1881- 
1882," when Aaron Wilkes Post, No. 23, of the New Jersey G. 
A. R., came down from Trenton to Richmond with Winkler's 
famous band, and settled all their differences with the members 
of the old First Virginia Infantry, the Otey Battery and the 
Richmond Howitzers at Sanger Hall; and the later campaign 
when the boys of the Gray went up to Trenton to renew assur- 
ances at the Trenton House with the old soldiers of the Aaron 
Wilkes Post, and rejoice with Jerseymen in the restoration of 
friendly relations and the spirit of brotherhood which should 
always prevail among the citizens of our United Country. The 
story of these famous post helhmi campaigns of 1881-1882 and 
the cordiality of feeling generated by them, both North and 



2G2 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

South, is told in a very interesting volume by Louis C. Gosson,. 
Post Commander of Wilkes Post, copies of which are carefully 
kept and often referred to b}' the old boys in Richmond. 

We have heard much lately about the abolition of war. A 
Peace Congress was held recently in New York, and a Peace 
Palace has been built at The Hague by the canny Scotch Car- 
negie. Now, we all favor peace — none more so than we who 
have experienced the horrors of war — and pious prayers con- 
stantly go up to the throne of Grace for the coming of the time 

"When the war drums shall sound no longer 
And the battle-flags are furled." 

But peace cannot be manufactured like steel and structural 
iron, and it is not protected by the tariff, and I must confess that 
Mr. Carnegie's views of war, and the methods he suggests for 
its prevention, have impressed me with the belief that he has 
more wealth than wisdom and more dollars than discretion. 

But there are worse things than war — horrible as war is. We 
read of the "canker of a long peace," and wars have been per- 
mitted, if not employed, by Providence as agencies for relief 
from conditions that become intolerable, as storms are employed 
to clear the atmosphere of elements which, if undisturbed, would 
become deadly. 

Sir Walter Scott, writing of the battle of Waterloo, said: 
"Napoleon is crushed, but crepe has been placed on every other 
door in England." It was a costly sacrifice, but it saved England 
from a humiliation which can only be conceived by those who 
understand the remorseless character of the brilliant Corsican. 

Anglo-Saxon liberty and free institutions were at stake, and 
the brave Britons who fought with Wellington at Waterloo, and 
the dauntless Nelson at Trafalgar, established a claim to the 
grateful regard of freemen throughout the world and for all 
time. The blood of the martyrs was the seed of the Church, and 
but for the thirty years' war there would have been no Reforma- 
tion, and if there had been no Revolutionary War there would 
have been no independence. 

If there had not been noble souls willing to brave the fagot and 
the flame rather than abjure their faith, Christianity would have 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 263 

perished from the earth. If there had not been brave and true 
men in the crucial times, when the fate of States and Nations, 
trembled in the scales — men to^ stand up and fight, and, if need 
be, die for the right — liberty would have perished from among 
men and despotism spread over them as with a pall. Men may- 
palaver in peace palaces until doomsday, but until truth and 
justice, religion and piety prevail on the earth, the voice of 
Sempronius will be heard and men will meet each other in the 
shock of battle. 

No true soldier who wore the gray regrets or is ashamed that 
he fought under the "Stars and Bars," and you soldiers who 
wore the blue are proud of yo'ur service under the "Old Flag." 
We meet as friends, who have fought out their battles, and ac- 
quiesce in the result. 

I sincerely hope the time is near at hand when full justice will 
be done tO' the soldiers of both sides, to those, of the South as 
well as those of the North. 

And I am sure you will be generous enough tO' sympathize with 
the one-armed old Confederate who once visited the new Con- 
gressional Library in Washington and was woefully disappointed 
at not finding the name of Lee upon the walls of the Hall of Cap- 
tains. His guide pointed out to him the names of Alexander, 
Caesar, Hannibal, Napoleon, Washington, Scott, Taylor, Grant, 
Sherman and others, but none of them interested him, and he 
asked, "Where is Lee," and was told by the guide that no rebel's 
name was allowed in the Hall of Captains. Thereupon, the old 
Confederate emitted a string of sulphurous expletives that would 
have done credit to Fighting Bob Evans, and straightway left 
the Library and went over to the Capitol, from one of whose 
windows he caught sight of Lee's old home across the river, to 
which he raised his hat, somewhat comforted. When he reached 
home he at once sought out the chaplain of his old regiment to 
whom he poured out his heart and his grievance, and the chap- 
lain put the story in blank verse, which runs thus : 

"He trod the Hall of Captains, o'er him high were strung names; 
The Macedonian bold, Rome's mightiest and mightier he of Carthage old, 
And later lights new-risen in War's wild sky dazzled upon him. 



264 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

Long with wistful eye the soldier sought a name, nowhere enrolled on 

those bright walls ; 
But after, in the Capitol wandering, he came by chance anigh a western 

window. 
There Potomac lay, rimmed with Virginian hills and in the sun far off 

a pillared mansion ; 
Then the gray, w'orn warrior, raised his one unwounded arm in the old 

way 
To his great Captain, Lee of Arlington." 



Address by Representative of Governor of New Jersey. 

We stand upon hallowed ground. Hallowed by suffering made 
sacred by achievement. It is places like this where men have 
striven with loyal purpose even to the giving up of life, that 
bring a train of solemn thought, yet prompt gratitude, and call 
to our lips ejaculations of thanksgiving. These are the shrines 
where we, the pilgrims in these days of peace, confess our short- 
comings and failures and resolve that the high claims of true 
citizenship shall have renewed and more perfect obedience from 
us and our households. For we remember the example of those 
who made sacrifice that a great nation might live on with new 
hope for liberty-loving men. 

New Jersey has her treasures. Its accumulated wealth, its 
complex and multitudinous industries, its public schools, a 
rich heritage to the children of our generation, its seats of 
learning, its active marts of trade, its splendid cities, its rich 
soil and the farmers' full harvest, its seacoast with its homes of 
rest and comfort for the myriads of strangers who find a tem- 
porary resting place among us — these, at least, are among our 
treasures. Nature and industry have, indeed, made us rich, but 
there is no richer treasure than the unselfish achievement and 
sacrifice of her sons who wrought with unquestioned heroism 
here and elsewhere for the nation's life. 

The war of the rebellion brought to us as a State its sorrows, 
its dangers and material loss, but it made us illustrious for our 
cheerfulness and fidelity in meeting the dire emergency of that 
conflict. Take an illustration : When the horror of war was 




GOVERNOR STOKES, 
Of New Jersey. 




ATTORNEY-GENERAL WILSON, 
Of New Jersey. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 265 

fully upon us, on the 4th of August, 1862, Abraham Lincoln 
made a draft upon Governor Parker, of our State, demanding 
10,478 men for military duty. They were to serve for nine 
months unless sooner discharged. The draft so ordered, however, 
was, by its terms, not tO' interfere with such volunteer recruiting 
and enlistment as was completed prior to September ist, 1862. 
In other words, all men so placed in service by volunteer enlist- 
ment should be credited against the quota named in the Presi- 
dent's draft. How was that emergency met? The patriotic 
spirit of our State responded and responded at once. Its sons 
remembered Trenton and Monmouth. They felt that cheerful 
service was better than reluctant obedience to the rigors of the 
draft law, and note the result — not a single soldier was pressed 
into service by the rigors of that draft. The time was short — 
August 4th, September ist — but the blood oif patriots was stirred 
Brave men were aroused, and the entire quota, 10,478 men by 
volunteer enlistment, was ready for the country's need. Their 
names were not only upon the volunteer roster, but the men them- 
selves were actually in service before the ist days of September 
had come. Think of it! Less than thirty days. Conspicuous 
among this army of volunteer patriots who- responded with 
cheerful and lavish enthusiasm was the Twenty-third Regiment, 
whose special service we this day remember. And within the 
thirty days just named they were accredited to the President's 
quota, and twelve days later, September 13th, 1862, the regiment 
was officered, fully equipped and actually mustered for duty at 
Beverly, New Jersey, and before the month had closed it had 
left its camp ground in the State and begun its arduous and effi- 
cient work. The Twenty-third Regiment at once found a place 
of conspicuous usefulness in the Sixth Army Corps. It became 
a part of the Army of the Potomac. It did its work gallantly 
and well. Its boys were green, but intelligent, responsive and 
brave. They swept the whole gamut of the soldier's life — on the 
march, in the prisons, they suffered with contagion and disease, 
and they faced death on the skirmish line and in the heat of 
battle. They were with Burnside and his advancing hosts at 
Fredericksburg in December, 1862, and they marched with 
Hooker back to Fredericksburg and into the city in the spring 



k 



2G0 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

of 1863. And here upon this very spot, or near it. they received 
their last baptism of blood on the 3d or 4th of May of that same 
year. How these men strove, what they endured, how they met 
the storm of shot and shell, and how they here engaged a relent- 
less enemy that was not always in the open, an enemy that fought 
from cover, e\en using yonder church as an improvised fort, all 
help tell us the story of their zeal, their courage and their worthi- 
ness. They have indeed earned an al)iding place among the 
nation's heroes. This monument speaks the appreciation of our 
commonwealth — a fitting token of our love and gratitude. Thus 
shall the record of illustrious action be impressed upon the mem- 
ory of this generation and of those yet unborn. 

To me there is something suggestive in the figure whicli 
surmounts this enduring shaft. The soldier which the sculptor 
has made is a picture of resourcefulness and alertness. One 
hand holds the musket in readiness and the other is thrust into 
the cartridge box. Thus the designer in his work has epitomized 
the volunteer soldier. Ever ready, ever alert. The emergency 
need onlv arise, the call of duty be heard, and the volunteer 
soldier has promptly made manifest his love of country and 
shown his genius for its defense. Our safety for the future must 
be assured not by a vast standing army, but in that great host 
of quiet, thoughtful, liberty-loving citizens who are ready upon 
an instant's call to strike for the nation's honor and the nation's 
safety. 

But let us not forget that the brave men who made this spot 
worth marking were not all numbered among our kinsmen of 
the north. They were not all marcliing under Federal banners. 
Let us not forget that those whom they fought were no less 
determined, no less courageous, no less ready for sacrifice. To 
conclude otherwise is petty and niggardly. It is to render- puny 
and inconsequential our own achievement. It is to deny the 
very record of that dreadful war which tells in letters of blood 
on every page how the 1x)ys in gray fought and marched and 
starved and died witli daring and with courage and with 
heroism wherever the conflict was waged and until the end had 
come. And those who designed this monument were not un- 
mindful of this truth, for they have cut into the stone an endur- 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 267 

ing tribute to the "memory of the brave Alabama boys'' who 
came so far to fight and die, and some of them to sleep on 
forever in unknown graves. There was generous comradery 
among enemies when the conflict waged. Let no heart rancor 
with hatred now when the victory is ours. I have already said 
this was sacred soil. It is doubly sacred. Made sacred first by 
the blood and service of our brothers of the north, but sacred 
also because those with whom we contended died here and strove 
here when courage reaped its reddest harvest, undaunted to the 
last if not triumphant. Sacred soil indeed to all of us. whether 
from the north or the south. Henry W. Grady was a patriot in 
the days of peace. It was he who' helped teach us the new sweet 
song of hope and gentleness for both the south and the north, 
and it was he who said that battlefields like this are "rich with 
memories that make us all purer and better and stronger because 
they proclaim forever the matchless valor of American hearts, 
the deathless glory of American arms, and the imperishable 
brotherhood of the American people.'' 

I am reminded of what Webster said at the unveiling of 
Bunker Hill monument. He used this sentence which has found 
a place in the memory of every school boy in our land. Said 
he, "When in future time troops of ingenious youths shall gather 
about its base and speak one to the other of the glorious event 
it was intended to commemorate, there shall arise from the 
breast of each of them this ejaculation, 'Thank God I, I also am 
an American.' " But new fires were yet to be kindled on new 
altars of patriotism that Webster knew not of. Some of you 
helped feed its flame, and to-day we are mindful of this new 
story of American patriotism. We know how the fire burned 
and how^ the altar gleamed, and with our memory awakened, 
appalled and saddened though we be at the magnitude of the 
sacrifice, yet we rejoice that the sacrifice was not in vain, for 
to-day eighty million freemen rejoice in the rich possession of 
a new^ north and a new south and a new birth of freedom. It is 
the full consciousness of this rich possession and the noble ser- 
vice which made it ours that prompts us this day to make those 
words of Webster our own benediction. May I speak them for 
myself, and for you may I exclaim, "Thank God I. 1 also am an 
American !" 



268 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

But I have a formal duty in this ceremonial. Permit me now 
to discharge it. 1 join with you in the regret that his Excellency, 
the Governor of Xew Jersey, is not here. I deem it an honor 
in his behalf to receive this fitting and enduring memorial in 
the name of the State of New Jersej'', whose sons have striven 
here and by their striving paid full tribute to patriotism, and 
thus enriched American manhood. 

And you gentlemen, trustees duly appointed, will now receive 
it in turn from the State of our common abode, for care and 
preservation, ever regardful of your sacred trust. 



Address by Captain E. H. Kirkbride. 

Mr. Chairman and Comrades: 

Time in its ceaseless revolution brings about very many 
changes indeed. Forty- four years ago to-day two armies met 
on this battlefield in deadly conflict. Many brave men fell in 
that struggle, fighting for what they honestly belie\'ed to be 
right as they understood it. Then the discordant notes of the 
screeching shell, mingled with the unpleasant hissing sound of 
the leaden bullet. Now the soul-stirring strains of that heavenly 
gift, "music," by the Fredricksburg Band, causing feelings of 
animation and pleasure, and filling our souls with rapture and 
delight. Then, the heavens obscured by the smoke of battle, and 
the air pregnant with the smell of gunpowder; now, the clouds 
of strife and conflict removed, and the sunshine of peace and 
happiness in their stead, and the air filled with the rich odor of 
hot coffee being prepared by the fair daughters of Virginia. A 
change, I am sure that will be appreciated and enjoyed by both 
"Yank" and "Reb." The position the company I had the honor 
to command in the battle which took place here was on the left 
of the regiment and on the right of the One Himdred and 
Twenty-first New York, commanded by Colonel Upton. On 
entering the woods at that part of the line of battle, the brush 
and briers were so thick, to say nothing of the enemy's bullets, 
that to keep a correct alignment was almost impossible, the men 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 269 

at times being compelled to crawl on their hands and knees to 
get through the thick underbrush. On reaching a more open 
space they advanced with a cheer, and soon were in close quarters 
with the enemy. At a log school-house we captured quite a 
number of prisoners, who' were ordered to throw down their 
arms and gO' to the rear. The first order was at once complied 
with, and they started to carry into^ ejffect the second, but the 
leaden hail from; the enemy's guns was so' severe at this time 
that to have carried it out would have meant almost certain 
annihilation, so' they sought cover behind the log school-house, 
the last we saw of them. The fighting at this place was very 
fierce, the two lines being not more than sixty yards apart. Dur- 
ing the fighting I well remember an uncontrollable horse, with a 
hatless officer on his back, that came running at maddening speed 
between the two lines. The officer leaped from his .saddle in time 
to save a capture, while the horse continued his mad stampede 
between the lines for some time, eventually going over to the 
enemy, where he was captured by Major Richardson, of the Con- 
federate Artillery Corps, who' is present here to-day, and so' in- 
formed me a few moments ago^. Another incident occurred near 
this spot which will never be obliterated from my memory. A 
Confederate color-bearer came out in front of his regiment 
several paces, and planted the colors in what appeared to be an 
old stump, behind which he sought cover. A young soldier oif 
Colonel Upton's New York Regiment stepped up and said to me: 
"Captain, did you see that?" Just as the word ''that" passed his 
lips a bullet went crushing through his skull, the sound of which 
reminded me of the breaking of an tgg shell between the fingers. 
He fell at my feet ; seeing his lips move, I put my ear to his mouth 
and heard him utter these, his last and dying words : "Mother, 
Mother, Mother." There are here in my hearing to-day those 
who saw this as I have releated it. Oh ! how often have I in the 
many years that have passed wished it were in my power to find 
that mother and tell her of her darling boy's last words — a boy 
who to-day perhaps helps make up that twelve thousand or more 
who sleep in graves marked "Unknown" in the National Ceme- 
tery, near this place. One of the saddest moments to me in army 
life, as it was I suppose to all soldiers, was the calling of the roll 
i8 F B 



270 FIRST XEIV JERSEY BRIGADE. 

after the battle. When someone perhaps with whom we had 
l^een associated in our boyhood days, g-one to the same 
school, stood side by side with uplifted hands and swore "to 
protect and defend the flag of our country against all enemies and 
oppK>sers, to obey the officers in command over us," who was 
bound to us by ties of intimate association and friendship, ties 
as soft as cords woven of silken threads, but, oh, God, stronger 
than bands of iron, who had fallen in the battle, had answered 
"here" to the roll-call of the mystic angel, and had passed to the 
grand army above. God grant we may never have such a con- 
flict again in this land of ours. Let us go from here to our homes, 
wherever they may be, or whether we be veterans of the Blue 
or the Gray, full}' resolved that we will teach those around us 
that the old flag that hangs from that monument means some- 
thing; that it means liberty, union, happy homes, God's country; 
that it means a land of brave, intelligent men, and fair and noble 
women; that it means a land of churches, where everyone can 
worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience; 
that it means a land of grand schools scattered all over this coun- 
try, one of which, I am proud to say, is directly opposite this 
monument — schools in which half a million of teachers are daily 
throwing the shuttle back and forth weaving the character and 
habits of the future sons and daughters of this great Republic, 
who are soon to come upon the stage of active life to take your 
and my place. Yes, men of the Blue and men of the Gray, men 
of the North and men of the South, it means all this, and more. 
It means that should a foreign foe attempt to trail it in the dust, 
or rob us of our lil>erties, a million men from all sections of our 
land would defend it with their lives. And now, on behalf of the 
Trustees of this Regimental Association, I receive from your 
hands this beautiful monument, and pledge you that so long as a 
survi\-or of the same lives it will l:)e cared for. and tliat a fund 
will be placed in the hands of some institution and so invested as 
to protect it for all time. 




HON. SAMUEL ROBBINS, 
Member of Monument Commission. 



FIRST NBIV JERSEY BRIGADE. 271 



Legislative Action by the State of New Jersey Authorizing 
Erection of Monument at Salem Church. 

An Act to authorize the erection of a monument on the battle- 
field of Salem Church, in the State of Virginia, to com- 
memorate the services of the twenty-third regiment, New 
Jersey volunteer infantry, in the battle of Salem Church and 
other engagements of the Civil War, and tO' appropriate 
money toi pay the cost of erection and dedication of the 
same. 

Whereas, The Twenty-third regiment, New Jersey Volunteer 
Infantry, rendered valiant and distinguished service in the bat- 
tle of Salem Church, in the county of Spottsylvania and State 
of Virginia, fought on the third day of May, eighteen hundred 
and sixty-three; as well as in other engagements of the Civil 
War; and 

Whereas, In order to perpetuate the memories of said battle of 
Salem Church and other engagements in which said regiment 
participated, as well as to promote the spirit of patriotism in 
their descendants and others, the surviving members of said 
regiment formed themselves into an association known as the 
"Association of the Survivors of the Twenty-third Regiment 
of New Jersey Volunteers," which association, upon each re- 
curring anniversary of said battle of Salem Church, meets to 
revive the memories and associations of said battle; and 

Whereas, The land whereon said regiment fought in said battle 
and on which the lines of battle were formed; where said regi- 
ment sustained and delivered the most severe charges of the 
day; where the greatest victories of the battle were achieved 
and the greatest losses sustained by said regiment, consecrating 
it as historic ground and endearing it to the memory of all 
who trod its soil, has been purchased by Edward Burd Grubb, 
then Colonel of said regiment, and by him deeded to trustees 
for said association, to be held by said trustees and their suc- 
cessors as a perpetual memoTial of said battle of Salem Church ; 
and 



272 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

Whereas, The said association is desirous of erecting upon the 
land so- held for them in trust, a suitable monument com- 
memorative of the said battle, but are without means where- 
with to accomplish the same and desire State aid in the 
premises; therefore, 
Be it enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the 

State of Nezv Jersey: 

1. The sum of six thousand dollars is hereby appropriated, 
when included in the annual or supplemental appropriation bill, 
for the purpose of erecting and dedicating, a monument on the 
battlefield of Salem Church, in the county of Spottsylvania, in 
the State of Virginia, to commemorate the services of the 
Twenty-third Regiment, New Jersey Volunteer Infantry in said 
battle and in other engagements of the Civil War; said sum to 
cover all expenses incident to the erection and dedication of said 
monument. 

2. The Governor shall, upon the making of such appropria- 
tion, appoint a commission to consist of three survivors of said 
regiment, members of the association of said survivors, to select 
a design, contract for, erect, finish and arrange for the dedication 
of a suitable monument on the lands at Salem Church, in the 
State of Virginia, now held in trust for the association known 
as the "Association of the Survivors of the Twenty-third Regi- 
ment of New Jersey Volunteers," and also to grade the ground 
immediately surrounding said monument; said commissioners 
shall receive no compensation for their services and the Governor 
shall fill all vacancies that may occur by death, resignation or 
otherwise. 

3. The Comptroller of the State shall draw his warrant in 
payment of all bills approved by said commission, and the Treas- 
urer of this State shall pay all warrants so drawn to the extent 
of the amount appropriated by the Legislature. 

4. After the monument shall be completed and dedicated and 
the grounds properly graded as aforesaid, the commission shall 
make report to the Governor of this State, to be laid before the 
Legislature on the first day of the session next succeeding the 
completion of the work, and then the duties of the commission 
shall cease and the care and supervision of said monument shall 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 273 

devolve upon and be vested in the trustees for the association 
known as the "Association of the Survivors of the Twenty-third 
Regiment of New Jersey Volunteers/' and their successors in 
said trust. 

5. This act shall be deemed a public act and shall take effect 
immediately. 

(Signed) E. C. Stokes, 
Governor of Nezv Jersey. 



Resolutions Adopted by Camp of United Confederate Veterans. 

Lynchburg, Va., June 14, 1907. 
General B. Burd Gruhh, 

My dear GeneRAI. — At the recent Confederate Reunion in 
Richmond, Va., on the occasion of the unveiling of the Stuart 
and Davis monuments, I had the honor to offer a resolution oi 
which the enclosure is a transcript. It was unanimously reported 
by the committee on resolutions and unanimously adopted by 
the Camp of the United Confederate Veterans. 

I presume that an official copy will be sent forward in accord- 
ance with the provisions of the resolution, but take the liberty to 
send you a copy, or rather a transcript, which I offered in token 
of my profound appreciation of the noble conduct of yourself 
and your brave regiment. 

I know of nothing more striking, or more chivalrous. The 
hearts of the old Confederates were warmed by this exhibition 
of respect and good feeling, and you and your gallant boys would 
be cheered by them whenever they could have the pleasure of 
meeting you. 

Let me renew to you, dear General, the expressions of the 
friendship with which I have long regarded you, and which has 
been most delightfully refreshed by the incident referred to in 
the resolutions. 

Most truly yours, 

(Signed) Jno. W. DaniEES. 

Whereas, on the 3d of May last, the Twenty-third Regiment 
of New Jersey Infantry, of the Army of Potomac, held a re- 



274 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

union on the battlefield of Salem Cl^urch where their courage 
was nobly exemplified and many of their comrades fell ; and 
whereas, they there erected a monument to the memory of those 
comrades who gave their lives to their cause, and on one tablet 
engraved the following legend : ''To the brave Alabama Boys, 
our opponents on this field of battle, whose memory we honor, 
this tablet is dedicated ; 

And whereas, so splendid an exhibition of soldierly honor 
and chivalrous feeling deeply touches our hearts, and has scarce 
a parallel; 

And whereas, we can only say in the language of one of our 
public journals that "Nothing could be finer, nothing more 
chivalric, nothing could testify more eloquently to the nobility of 
soul of these New Jersey soldiers" ; we salute them with admira- 
tion, gratitude and homage,* and send to each and all of them 
our fraternal regards. 

Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be transmitted to 
General E. Burd Grubb, who was an officer of the Twenty-third 
New Jersey Infantry, with the request that he communicate 
them to his fellow soldiers; and we assure him and them that 
nothing could make us happier than an opportunity to reciprocate 
and cherish the generous sentiments which have inspired them. 



Mount Holly, N. J., February 8th, 1908. 
Dear Sir — I see by the newspapers that Senator Taylor of 
Tennessee is to deliver a lecture iov the benefit of a monument 
to be erected to the Confederate dead at Arlington, aiid that 
former Senator I^'aulkner and vourself represent a committee 
having the matter in hand for the Arlington Confederate Monu- 
ment Association. I am a memter of the Twenty-third New 
Jersev Regimental Association and its secretary, and write you in 
their behalf to know if an appropriation of one hundred dollars 
from them \\\W be acceptable for this tribute to the memory of 
the brave l)oys that wore the gray. General E. Burd Grubb is 
the President of our Association, to whom vou wrote a beautiful 




E. BURD GRUBB, Jr. 
Who Unveiled the Monument at Salem Church. 




General E. Burd Grubb making his Address at the Dedication of tlie 
Monument at Salem Church. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 275 

letter in regard to a tablet to the Ijrave .\labama boys on our 
monnm-ent at Salem Church, Va., which we dedicated last May. 
Hoping- that we may have the honor of contributing toward 
this worthy object, which has our most cordial approA'al, and 
that your efforts may be crowned with rich success, 

I remain yours sincerely, 

E. H. KiRKBRIDE, 

Late Capt. B Co. B^d Regt. N. J. Vol. 



HowKi^iv C. Featherston, 
Attorney and Counseeeor-at-Law, 

LY^^CHBURG, Va., May 13th, 1907. 
Gen. B. Bitrd Grubh, 

Philadelphia, Pa.: * 

Dear GenERAEi — I have read with deepest interest an account 
of the unveiling of a monument on the battlefield of Salem 
Church, near Fredericksburg, Va., tO' commemorate the deeds of 
the Twenty-third New Jersey Volunteers in the battle of Salem 
Church, fought during the progress of the battle of Chancellors- 
ville. 

I especially note the inscription on the third plate : "To the 
brave Alabama boys, our opponents on this field of battle, whose 
memory we honor, this tablet is dedicated." For this display of 
chivalry I salute you and your comrades. I doubt if history has 
recorded such a generous commemoration of the valor of a foe. 

I was a member of that (Wilcox's) brigade — a captain in the 
Ninth Alabama Regiment. 

The brigade w^as composed of the Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, 
Eleventh and Fourteenth Alabama Regiments.- This was the 
same brigade which took such an active part in the, re-capture of 
the "Crater" in front of Petersburg, Va., on July 30th. 1864, as 
well as other memorable hotly contested fields. 

Permit me to thank you and those who co-operated with you 
in thus honoring foemen who fought you "hilt to hilt" so desper- 
ately as did the "Alabama boys" in that bloody battle. None but 



27G FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

a brave and magnanimous people could thus honor a former 
enemy. 

As before stated I doubt if your chivalrous act has a parallel 
recorded in history; certainly not in the history of the Civil War. 

It is the most convincing evidence that I have seen that ''the 
war is over." 

I well remember the deeds of heroism displayed on 1x)th sides 
around Salem Church on that May day. 

So hotly was the ground contested that at one time during the 
fight your men were at one end of the church and ours were at 
the other. We had literally converted the House 6i God into a 
charnel house and had pushed aside the Book of Life and were 
using the instruments of death. We had four sharpshooters in 
the pulpit firing through the window in its rear, one of whom' 
was an Irishman, who, after the battle, said : "Captain, I was 
being after sinding out from that pupit some of the most forcible 
argumint that any morf iver sint from it before.'' 

An officer who inspected the field closely told me a few days 
after the battle that parallel lines drawn from each end of the 
church included some of the dead from both sides — Federal and 
Confederate. 

If it were possible for the "Alabama boys" to re-assemble, that 
act of yours and your comrades would receive such recognition 
as it justly merits, but that, alas! can never be. 

The results of the war forced the survivors of that noble band 
to seek their fortunes in places W'idely divergent, but the majority 
uf them are sleeping on the field of honor. 

All of themi that are now living. I can safety say, feel as do I : 
that words are inadequate to express our appreciation of your 
chivalrous act. Indeed, it wall touch a responsive chord in the 
hearts of all Confederate soldiers. New Jersey has set an ex- 
ample that, if followed by others, would do more to restore good 
feelings over the entire nation than all efforts of the press and 
orators can ever accomplish. They are theorizing; Xew Jersey 
is performing— "showing her faith by her works." 

I hope that at some future time we may meet again, but not 
as of vore, and in kindlv words fight over our battles "in these 
piping times of peace." 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 277 

I regret that I was not aware of the time of the unveihng of 
your, yes, our monument; otherwise I should surely have been 
present. In our hearts is your monument. 
With kindest regards, I am, 

Yours most truly, 

(Signed) John C. Fe;athkrston. 



278 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



The Twenty-Third Regiment at Harrisburg in 1863. 



The term of service in the United States Army, for which the 
Twenty-third Regiment of New Jersey Volunteers had enHsted, 
expired on the 13th day of June, 1863. The regiment was at 
that time attached to the Sixth Corps of the Army of the 
Potomac, and, on the day after the expiration of their term of 
service, they were sent across the Rappahannock River, below 
Fredericksburg, and faced the enemy, and had an officer and 
two men wounded. They then were ordered to proceed to 
Beverly, N. J., for muster-out, and transportation was furnished 
them from Acquia Creek for that purpose. 

I had given special attention to the muster-out rolls of every 
captain in the regiment, and they were in perfect condition with 
the exception of the sutler's accounts, with which, of course, 
I had nothing to do, and the sutler caused considerable delav in 
getting his accounts on the rolls properly. In the meantime, the 
regiment was in camp, in tents, on the commons at Beverly, 
between the railroad and the city hall. Upon ascertaining that 
there would be some delay in the muster-out, I allowed furloughs 
to about one-half of the men at a time, and that accounts for the 
fact that on the day of w-hich I am going to speak, June 17th, 
1863, there were not more than 400 men present for duty in the 
camp. 

On the morning of the i/th of June I went up to Trenton 
and called upon the Governor, Joel Parker, and upon Adjutant- 
General Robert F. Stockton, and urged upon them the advisa- 
bility, for many reasons, of hastening the muster-out of the 
regiment. There were two other regiments at Beverly waiting 
to be mustered out, also a military hospital, and I felt nervous 
about the danger of any contagious disease being contracted by 
my men. I may add that the discipline of my men up to the last 
moment of our military connection was perfect, and the fact that 
their term of serxicc had expired made no difference in their con- 
duct as soldiers, either at Beverly or afterwards at Harrisburg. 

The Governor and General Stockton said they w^ould take 
immediate steps to hasten a muster-out ; and General Stockton 



• FIRST NEJV JERSEY BRIGADE. 279 

asked me to go to his house and take lunch with him, which I 
did. At the table, in his dining-room, were General and Mrs. 
Stockton, and the two Misses Potter; one of whom afterwards 
married Mr. Carter, of Orange, and the other Mr. Green, of 
Trenton; I think that Mrs. Dayton, General Stockton's daughter, 
who was then Miss Maria Stockton, a little girl, was at the table. 
When the lunch was half over, a telegram was handed General 
Stockton, which he opened and read, and then said, "Grubb, 
this is terrible news, Lee's W'hole army is advancing on Harris- 
burg, and Governor Curtin asks us to- send every available man 
to the assistance of his State." After a few moments he said, 
"Will your men go?" I said, "Of course they will." I did not 
think then what a great responsibility I was taking by making 
that reply, but I had the greatest confidence in my regiment, and 
the result justified it. We arose from the table at once and 
went over to the capitol, where Governor Parker was. Upon 
reading the telegram he asked me the same question that General 
Stockton had, and I made the same reply. He then directed . 
General Stockton to order a locomotive to take us down to 
Beverly, where w^e arrived in not much more than a half-hour's 
time. The three regiments had been informed of the coming of 
the Governor, and were drawn up on the commons in three 
masses, close enough together to hear what was said. There 
w^ere probably about 1.500 men present there in the three regi- 
ments. Governor Parker then, taking off his hat, made one of 
the most impassioned speeches that I ever heard. He praised 
the men for their conduct in the service, told them that they 
had fulfilled their time of service and that neither the country 
nor the State had any claim upon them, but the capital of Penn- 
sylvania was in imm.inent danger from the same enemy whom 
they had fought so well and so long. He then read Governor 
Curtin's telegram to them and besought them on every plea that 
any man could think of, and most eloquently and forcibly, to 
go at once to the assistance of Pennsylvania. At the end of 
his speech he said, "Now every man who will go to Harrisburg 
to-night, step three paces to the front." Every man of the 
Twenty-third Regiment stepped three paces to the front, and 
not one of the others. 



280 FIRST XFJV JERSEY BRIGADE. 

I immediately ordered my men to get their knapsacks and 
muskets and issued twenty rounds of cartridges to each man, 
which was all I had in the camp, and by the time this was done, 
which did not take many minutes, one of the trains for Phila- 
delphia came along and was stopped by the Governor, and the 
Twent}-third Regiment Iwarded it and arrived in Philadelphia 
just about dusk that evening. In those days the landing wharf 
of the Amboy Division of the Pennsylvania Railroad was at the 
foot of Walnut street, instead of Market street, where it now is. 
We marched up Chestnut street to Broad street and thence to 
West Philadelphia, by Market street, where I was told trans- 
portation to Harrisburg would be waiting for us. Arriving 
there I found nothing of the kind and no preparation for trans- 
porting us at all. At th-e request of the chief of police, or the 
mayor of the city, I am uncertain which, the regiment marched 
to the police station house, a large building at the corner of 
Twenty-seventh and Market streets, where it was quartered for 
the niglit, and 369 rations were served to the men, this being the 
exact number of the Twenty-third Regiment who were with the 
regiment at Harxisburg. I have, of course, mentioned previously 
that a number of men were absent on furloughs at their homes, 
and twenty-five men. under the command of Captain E. H. 
Kirkbride — who, it happened, was officer of the day — I had left 
in charge of our camp at Beverly. Earl)^ on the morning of the 
1 8th of June, after a great deal of trouble. I succeeded in getting 
a train of open coal-cars, and in these the Twenty-third Regi- 
ment, officers and men, went to Harrisburg, arriving there about 
one o'clock in tlie afternoon of that day. It is my recollection 
that a battery of light artillery, commanded by Captain K. 
Spencer Miller, of Philadelpliia, went to Harrisburg with us in 
the same train. They liad. I think, ^four small guns. 

I reported at once to General Darius X. Couch, whose head- 
f|uarters were in the Capitol building. He was an officer who 
had commanded a division of the Army of the Potomac, and 
was then commander of the department in which Harrisburg 
was. He told me there were no organized troops in the town, 
and he did not know when there would be, and asked me how 
much ammunition I had, and also said that as my muskets were 
smooth-bores that he did not have anv more for me. He then 



PIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 281 

said that there was a ford just above the Cumberland Valley 
Railroad bridge, and that if the brido-es were burned, he thoueht 
the enemy would attempt to cross at that place, as the river was 
very low. He then directed me to take my regiment to the 
Harris Park, just opposite this place, on the bank of the Susque- 
hanna, and throw up a rifle pit of Demilune kind, and to pierce 
the cellars of all the houses that abutted on the river in that 
vicinity for musketry. This I did, and the whole regiment, 
officers and men, worked at this during the whole of that after- 
noon and nearly all of the night. By the next morning we had 
a tolerably good rifle pit, extending nearly the whole length of 
the Harris Park, and just back of the fence, which was on the 
river side; the fence was not thrown down, so that the rifle pit 
was masked from the river. 

At the end of three days of our occupation here, I received 
orders from, General Couch to take the regiment back to Beverly 
for muster-out. I called upon him to say "Good-bye," and to 
tell him that the men were ready and willing to go wherever it 
was necessary, and he said that the acute strain was over, that 
the rebels had fallen back some eighteen or twenty miles, that 
the Army of the Potomac was coming up on their rear and that 
there was no further necessity for our services. He spoke in 
the highest terms of the conduct of the men of the Twenty- 
third Regiment. 

We returned to Philadelphia and were put on board a curious 
boat called the "Burlington," a freight boat, with the wheels 
near the bow, and an extraordinary long body behind the wheels. 

We were mustered out of the United States service at Beverly, 
on the 27th day of June, 1863. 

At the last dress parade, and on the commons at Beverly, there 
was present and saluted by the regiment, Miss Harriet Lane, 
the niece of ex-President James Buchanan, and who was the 
Lady of the White House during his administration. 

I refer in connection with this article to Official Records, 
Series i, Vol. 27, Part 3, pages 446-1078 and 1079; also 
Foster's New Jersey and the Rebellion, pages 512 and 513; al^o 
to History of the Reunion Society of the Twenty-third Regi- 
ment, New Jersey Volunteers, pages 21 and 22. 

. E. BuRD Grubb, 

Colonel 2sd Regt., 1863. 



282 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



The Fortieth Regiment. 



The Fortieth Regiment was organized under the immediate 
superintendence of Colonel Stephen R. Gilkyson, under General 
Orders No. 243 (series 1864) of the War Department, and for- 
warded to the field by companies, the last company being mus- 
tered in on the loth of March, 1865. Upon reaching- the field, 
the companies were attached to the First Brigade, the regiment 
proving courageous and efficient in all the engagements in which 
it participated. In the last fight before Richmond it displayed 
conspicuous gallantry, the men fighting with the steadiness of 
veterans. Its record here is brief, since its term of service cov- 
ered only the latter period of the war; but, in the estimation of 
Jerseymen, it deserves a place among the best and worthiest of 
our regiments. 

The original roster of the regiment was as follows : 
Colonel, Stephen R. Gilkyson; Lieutenant-Colonel. Samuel J. 
Hopkins; Major, J. Augustus Fay, Jr.; Adjutant, George W. 
Breen; Quartermaster, J. Warren Kinsey; Surgeon, Charles E. 
Hall; Assistant Surgeons, Harmon Heed, Elias Wildman. 
Company A — Captain, John Edlestein ; First Lieutenant. Charles 
A. Galluba; Second Lieutenant, Gustavus L. Freche. Company 
B — Captain, Samuel W\ Down; First Lieutenant, Jonathan 
Maguire; Second Lieutenant, Edwin Hedden. Company C — 
Captain, George Eggers ; First Lieutenant, Henry C. Wood- 
ward; Second Lieutenant, Joseph F. Mount. Company D — 
Captain, Maurice C. Stafford; First Lieutenant, Harrison Shaff; 
Second Lieutenant. Samuel Phillips. Company E — Captain, 
Joseph A. Schnetzer; First Lieutenant, George \\'. Breen; 
Second Lieutenant, James Phillips. Company F — Captain. 
Charles E. Grant; First Lieutenant, Chauncey Holt; Second 
Licnitenant. T. Fletcher Jacobs. Company G — Captain, Elwood 
Lippincott; First Lieutenant, John B. Lyman; Second Lieu- 
tenant, John M. Peters. Company H — Captain, Andrew J. 
Mandeville; First Lieutenant, Samuel W. Downs; Second Lieu- 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 283 

tenant, Georg-e A. Beldin. Company /—Captain, Ezra Stewart- 
First Lieutenant, William H. Stiles; Second Lieutenant, Stephen 
H. Marsh. Company /C— Captain, John W. Goodenough- First 
Lieutenant, Walker A. Newton; Second Lieutenant, ' Peter 
Rudranff. 



284 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



Battery A, First New Jersey Artillery. 



Battery A, First New Jersey Artillery, Captain William Hex- 
amer, was mustered into service August 12, 1861, at Hoboken, 
which place it left eight days after for Washington. Captain 
Hexamer had for months impatiently awaited an opportunity 
to enter the service, and only failed to reach the field with our 
first contingent, because of the indisposition of the Govern- 
ment to accept of volunteer artillery. Whether it was supposed 
that this arm of the service was already sufficiently strong, we 
cannot tell ; but it is certain that so far as New Jersey was con- 
cerned, it was found for a time altogether impossible to secure 
the acceptance of artillery organizations. Many men. having 
encountered the rebuffs to which Captain Hexamer was exposed, 
would have abandoned the effort to obtain recognition as utterly 
useless ; but he was not to be so shaken off ; pertinacious, earnest 
and animated by a sturdy and invincible patriotism, he pursued 
his purpose with ceaseless and importunate determination, and 
at length, as we have seen, achieved success — being mustered in 
as a participant in the grand struggle for the vindication of 
the flag he loved. Reaching Washington on the 21st of August, 
the battery, after being filled up and supplied with the necessary 
horses, equipments and arms, proceeded (September 6th) to 
Fairfax Seminary, where it was attached in Kearny's brigade. 
The battery at this time numbered one hundred and fifty-one 
men and five officers — one Captain, two First Lieutenants and 
two Second Lieutenants. At a later period, the number of men 
was increased to one hundred and sixty-four, several being trans- 
ferred to the battery from the First Regiment of Infantry. 

The first battle in which the batter}- was engaged was that of 
West Point, on the 7th of May, 1862, where it displayed great 
gallantr}-, winning the highest encomiums. The official report 
of the engagement shows that at nine o'clock on the day named. 
Captain Hexamer, under orders from General Newton, placed 
the left section (howitzers) of his battery in position opposite 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 28.> 

the woods near the landing- — the right and centre sections being' 
soon after placed on the right of the line of battle formed by 
Franklin's division. What followed is thus told in the report: 
"Skirmishing between our troops and the enemy had already 
commenced in the woods directly in front when I reached the 
designated ground. General Newton ordered me not to begin 
firing until the enemy should show himself outside the woods, 
which was done at twelve o'clock by the Fifth Alabama Regi- 
ment, who fired on my battery with rifles, wounding some of my 
men. I then opened fire with my ten-pounder Parrotts, and 
threw spherical case into the lines oi the enemy, causing the 
retreat of the Alabama troops. I then commenced shelling the 
woods in the direction where I knew the enemy to be located 
(guided by the smoke rising 'from the discharged muskets), 
until the firing of the infantry in the woods in front of us' 
ceased entirely. * * * The effect of our fire must have been 
good, judging from his speedy retreat and the reports of some 
men of our brigade whoi were pursuing him in the woods. The 
men behaved well, executing all movements as accurately as on 
the drill-ground." 

The battery was next engaged at Mechanicsville, before Rich- 
mond, on the 31st of May, 1862. On the 27th of June, it partici- 
pated in the severe engagement at Gaines' Mills, having re- 
ported to Colonel Taylor, commanding the First New Jersey 
Brigade, and being by him placed on the right of the Brigade — 
Prince de Joinville, of McClellan's staff, accompanying the com- 
mand to its position — in an open field some two hundred yards 
from the woods occupied by the rebels, and in which an infantry 
fight was in progress. Immediately upon the battery coming 
into position, the enemy opened upon it, killing and wounding 
seventeen horses before it was able to fire a single shot; the 
men, however, received the fire without trepidation, and as soon 
as possible replied with vigor. Captain Hexamer's report of the 
day's action, as made to Colonel Taylor, says of the operations 
of the battery subsequent to this assault from the enemy : "After 
half an hour's rest, during which tim.e the musket balls of the 
enemy reached us in great numbers, I received an order by 
Adjutant de Joinville from General Porter, to advance fifty 

19 F B 



280 FIRST XEir JERSEY BRIGADE. 

yards towards the woods and open fire at eleven hundred yards 
distance, where the rebels were supposed to be in line. We 
threw about thirty rounds, when the musket fire in our front 
ceased ,and I received an order by the same Adjutant to dis- 
continue firing. We were kept in rest about twenty minutes, 
when suddenly the firing in our front and all along the woods 
was renewed and raged for about half an hour with the greatest 
fur\-. The musketry came nearer every moment, and finall}- 
our infantry left the woods, followed closely by the enemy. At 
this moment I received your order to open fire with spherical 
case and canister, which was at once complied with. Simul- 
taneously the battery on my left opened fire, and after about 
fifteen minutes' firing, we had silenced entirely the musketry of 
the enemy in front of us. The smoke hanging over the field 
now rendered it quite impossible to observe any movements of 
the rebels. Suddenly we received a volley of musketry from 
our left, followed by an incessant firing of the infantry, which 
had already advanced upon the battery on the left of us, taking 
it with the bayonet. Not being supported, I found it necessary 
to limber and retire to the next hill in rear of our position. One 
driver of the left section was shot down, while two horses of 
the same pieces, three of the caisson horses, and one sergeant's 
horse, were disabled. The piece, the horses of which were shot, 
could not be brought forward, and fell into the hands of the 
enemy, who took possession of it immediately. Besides the 
driver, four other men were wounded in this engagement. 
Reaching the hill before mentioned. General Slocum ordered me 
to go into battery and fire to the rear, which I did, answering 
the firing of a rebel batter}- brought into action about one thou- 
sand yards from us. We continued firing until the battery op- 
posite us ceased, and at eleven o'clock I received orders to return 
to camp. During the day we fired one hundred and sixty-five 
rounds — spherical case, shot and shells. During the whole day 
my men st(X)d well to their work — nothwithstanding we were 
for hours under the heaviest musketry and cannon fire — 
maneuvering, loading and firing, quite without excitement." 

The testimony here borne by the gallant commander to the 
courage and endurance of his men, was no more than just. 



FIRST NEIV JERSEY BRIGADE. 287 

Throughout the entire battle, they displayed the utmost coolness 
and indifference to danger, eliciting from all who witnessed their 
conduct the warmest commendation. Prince de Joinville, wit- 
nessing the intrepidity with which the battery met the rebel 
attack, spoke in glowing terms of their braver}-, and in a letter 
afterwards published in a Paris journal, declared that he had 
never seen, anywhere, soldiers who^ received an attack so coolly 
as the German battery which was under his orders during the 
battle of Gaines' Mill. 

The services of Battery A in this campaign did not end with 
this engagement. When, our army being driven back, the enemy 
pushed fonvard in pursuit, this was the first battery w'hich 
opened fire upon the pursuers, and it was in no small degree 
owing to its active services that the advance was checked and 
•opportunity given to our exhausted infantry to make good their 
escape. During the retreat, so great was the confusion, and so 
entangled were the infantry and artillery, that Captain Hex- 
amer was obliged to dismount his drivers, and use them, when 
he again opened, together with the officers, in serving the guns.. 

Upon the withdrawal of the army to Harrison's Landing, the 
battery went into camp, where it remained until about the 26th 
of August, when it embarked for Alexandria, where it arrived 
on the 29th, marching on the same day with General Franklin's 
troops to Fairfax Court House. Pope was at this time des- 
perately engaged with a large force of the enemy. Hexamer at 
once found active work, being posted during the fight at Chantilly 
on the road between that place and Fairfax Courthouse, on the 
right of General Kearny's division. After the battle, the bat- 
tery returned to its old camp near Alexandria, whence it marched 
on the 3d of September into Maryland, reaching Sugar-loaf 
mountain on the loth. Thence it followed the retiring rebels 
through Burkettsville to Crampton's Pass, participating in the 
attack upon the enemy at that point, and winning fresh honors 
by its gallantry. Reaching the top of the mountain, the battery 
remained until the 17th. when it proceeded to Antietam, where 
it again performed distiguished service. At the time when the 
battery was ordered into action, the battle on the right had be- 
come desperate to the last degree, the contending armies strug- 



288 FIRST XBir JERSEY BRIGADE. 

gling with a courage scarcely paralleled for the position about 
the Dunker church. Near this church, standing on the edge of 
a woods skirting the east side of the road running north from 
Sharpsburg, the enemy had several batteries which seriously 
annoyed our infantry, who held another belt of woods several 
hundred yards west of the church. In front of this latter woods, 
stretched an open field, across which our columns had already 
advanced, only, however, to be repulsed. It was three o'clock in 
the afternoon (of the 17th) when Hexamer was ordered to 
advance and take position in this field, at a distance of some 
seven hundred yards from the church, behind which the enemy 
were gathered in force. At this time a battery of heavy rifled 
guns (twenty pounder Parrotts) was in position and throwing 
shells and shrapnel among our infantry, posted about one thou- 
sand five hundred yards distant. Hexamer at once opened upon 
this battery with shells, and so accurate was his aim, that after 
firing one hundred and fifty rounds, he effectually silenced it, 
the operation occupying less than half an hour. Soon after this, 
a second batter}- (of twelve-pound howitzers) came into position 
in front of Hexamer, and commenced unlimbering at a distance 
of seven hundred yards. He at once opened vigorously upon 
the intniders, firing some thirty rounds of shrapnel, when, with- 
out firing a gim, the rebel, finding himself in hot quarters, re- 
considered his purpose to attack and hurriedly withdrew out of 
range. 

About this time, Hexamer received orders to report to Gen- 
eral Hancock, and proceeding to the position designated, was 
ordered to fire upon two rebel regiments, drawn up about one 
thousand yards distant. At once opening with shell and shrap- 
nel, and pouring a rapid fire into the rebel flanks, he speedily 
caused them also to retire, leaving, however, not a few of their 
number behind, dead and wounded. The enemy now fell back 
to an orchard, which Hexamer shelled vigorously for about half 
an hour, when a battery opened upon him on the right flank at 
about nineteen hundred yards distant — the enemy at the same 
time advancing and opening with musketry at a range of two 
hundred yards. Thus sharply assailed. Captain Hexamer 
ordered the left-half battery to direct its fire also against the 



. FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 289 

report, "to fire with canister in the direction of the infantry, 
and the right-half battery to fire with shells towards the battery 
on the right flank. This was immediately done, causing the 
infantry to fall back a second time from their position. I then 
ordered the left-half battery tO' direct its fire also against the 
battery on our right, which had our exact range and was throw- 
ing shells and shrapnel among my men and the infantry in our 
rear, killing two of my horses, and wounding and killing many 
of the infantry. I continued firing until we had expended all 
the ammunition contained in the limber-chests of the pieces, 
whereupon I was relieved by another battery. I used, during the 
action, two hundred and eighty shells, two hundred shrapnels, 
and fifteen canisters. The ofiicers and men behaved extremely 
well." 

During the night of the i8th, the. battery was again ordered to 
the front, where it remained until Lee had withdrawn, when it 
joined in the pursuit. Subsequently it went into camp. at Bakers- 
ville, where it was considerably strengthened. Company K, of the 
First Regiment Volunteers, also from Hbboken, being trans- 
ferred to the battery, and the men in hospital returning to duty, 
giving it the full number of effective men. After some weeks, 
moving with the Sixth Corps to Warrenton, and thence to the 
vicinity of White Oak Church, the battery went into camp until 
the nth of December, when it advanced with the infantry to the 
Rappahannock, crossing on the following day with General 
Brooks, of the First Division of the Sixth Corps. The rebel 
batteries on the heights in rear of Fredericksburg opening on 
the position held by Hexamer, he vigorously replied, firing until 
nightfall. During the three following days, he remained in the 
same position, doing effective service, finally withdrawing on the 
15th, with the rest of the army. 

The battery was now unemployed until the 12th of January, 
1863, when it participated in the "Mud Campaign." In this 
movement Hexamer's was the only battery which came punc- 
tually into position at the front. It was also the only battery 
which effected a return to camp without the aid of infantry, all 
the others finding it necessary to call in assistance to move the 
heavy pieces over the miserable roads. The promptness and 



290 • FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

efficiency exhibited by the battery in this movement eHcited the 
warmest praise from General Brooks and others. 

The battery now remained at White Oak Church in winter 
quarters until the 28th of April, when/ Hooker initiating the 
Chancellorsville campaign, it moved to the Rappahannock and 
went into position to cover Franklin's crossing. Engaged in 
this duty until ]\Iay 2d, it crossed the river and took position 
with a view of engaging the rebel batteries on Marye's Heights. 
On the morning- of the 3d, the engagement opened with great 
vigor, the artillery on lx)th sides displaying tremendous activity. 
.\bout noon, the enemy having been driven from the Heights, 
Battery A advanced through Fredericksburg, and over the 
Heights, some three miles in the direction of Chancellorsville. 
Here, in the vicinity of Salem Church, where the First Jersey 
Brigade had encountered the enemy in force, the battery at once 
took position, and becoming engaged, fought until nightfall 
with its accustomed gallantr}- and efficiency. On the following- 
day, being posted on the left of the turnpike, Hexamer was 
again actively engaged, falling back, however, at night to Banks' 
Ford, where it covered the crossing of our troops who. despair- 
ing of victory, were quitting the bloody field where they had so 
bravely but vainly fought. At midnight, the battery also crossed, 
and after remaining three days near the river, proceeded to its 
old camp — having- in the several engagements fired about twelve 
hundred rounds. 

On the 1 2th of May, the battery was transferred from the 
Sixth Corps to the Artillery Reserve, remaining in camp until 
the 5th of June, when it moved to a new position near the Rap- 
pahannock, whence, however, it soon after marched to Fairfax 
Court House, where it remained until the army commenced its 
movement into Pennsylvania in pursuit of Lee. Reaching Ed- 
ward's Ferry, on the Potomac, on the 24th (after a march of 
thirty-two miles on that day), the battery assisted in covering 
the crossing of our troops, when, on the 27th, it marched to 
Frederick, Maryland, and thence with the army to Gettysburg, 
where it arrived on the morning of July 2d, going into position 
on the turnpike, but not becoming engaged, although exposed to 
the shells of the enemy. On the 3d, changing position to the 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 291 

left centre O'f the line of battle, upon which Lee was concentrating 
all his artillery, the battery opened and maintained a heavy fire, 
fighting until evening. The contest on this part of the line was 
of the most desperate character, the enemy advancing to the 
very mouths of our guns, and struggling with the most stub- 
born intrepidity to gain possession of the elevation occupied by 
our troops. At one time during the engagement, the rebels, 
pressing impetuously forward, were within ten yards of Hex- 
amer's pieces, but not a man flinched for a moment. Indeed, 
never before had these sturdy German artillerists exhibited a 
grander courage, or a sublimer indifference tO' danger, than on 
this occasion, when menaced, apparently, with utter destruction. 
So terrible was the rebel fire that one of their shots killed two 
men and wounded seven others serving one of Hexamer's pieces. 

Upon the retreat of Lee, Battery A joined in the pursuit, and 
crossing the Potomac at Harper's Ferry, marched to Warrenton, 
proceeding thence to Culpepper, where it encamped until Octo- 
ber nth. It then participated in the various movements of the 
army, finally encamping on November 8th, near the Rappa- 
hannock. Subsequently it participated in the Mine Run demon- 
stration, returning to camp at Brandy Station, where it remained 
during the winter, receiving before the spring campaign some 
eighty recruits. 

On the 4th of May, 1864, General Grant having matured his 
plans for an advance against the enemy, Battery A marched to 
Chancellorsville, moving on the following morning to the right 
of that point, passing Robertson's Tavern. Thence it was moved 
on the 7th to Pine Grove Church, where it remained, in reserve, 
until the loth, when^ it marched to Tabernacle Church, and 
thence to Fredericksburg, returning to the Sixth Corps. On the 
i8th, it again advanced, and on the 19th reached the river Po, 
where it participated in a heavy fight. In the advance from this 
point, the battery covered the rear of the Sixth Corps — passing 
the North Anna on the 24th, the Pamunkey on the 28th, and 
reaching Cold Harbor shortly after noon on June ist. Here it 
was at once sent into position, taking part in the bloody en- 
gagement of that day — firing in all five hundred and ten rounds. 
In the evening it advanced some two hundred yards, and early 



292 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

on the following morning renewed its firing, keeping it up, 
though greatly annoyed by sharpshooters, for several hours. 
About noon, the rebels making an attack, the battery suffered 
the loss of Lieutenant Jaeckele wounded, Quartermaster- 
Sergeant Hagelber and another sergeant killed — several horses 
being also killed. Towards evening, being ordered to report 
to the Eighteenth Army Corps, Hexamer withdrew his com- 
mand, but on the following day was again engaged with that 
corps — the fighting being of the heaviest description. In this 
engagement, a division under General Brooks being driven out 
of the woods temporarily occupied by them, the rebels sharply 
followed, opening fire with canister. Hexamer was ordered to 
check the enemy's batteries, and did so, although exposed to a 
canister fire at a distance of only two hundred yards. During 
this day's fighting, five hundred and seventy-seven rounds were 
fired. Captain Hexamer had one of his shoulder-straps shot 
away, but escaped actual injury. During the evening, the camp 
of the battery was under the fire of the enemy, several horses 
being killed and two men w'ounded. On the 4th, the batter)'^ 
again moved to the front, being posted behind earthworks under 
the fire of the rebel sharpshooters, but was not again actively 
engaged until the night of the 5th, when, the position being 
attacked, fire w-as opened and continued at intervals until the 
evening of the 9th, when the command retired to camp. Here 
it remained until the 12th, when, after a brief engagement, it 
marched with the army to the James River, crossing on the morn- 
ing of the 15th, and reaching the front of Petersburg on the 
night of the i6th. On the 19th, going into position at a pecul- 
iarly exposed point, with rebel batteries on the right, left and 
front, and rebel sharpshooters only one hundred yards distant, 
it became hotly engaged, three men being wounded and four 
horses killed. In this position the battery remained, fi.ring from 
time to time, until the night of the 21st, when it marched to the 
left of Petersburg and went into camp. During the following 
week, though several times sent into position, the command w^as 
not called into action. On the 30th, it marched to Ream's Sta- 
tion, returning two days after and going into camp. Here it 
remained until July 9th, when it proceeded to City Point, re- 



fIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 293 

maining until the 26th. Upon returning to Petersburg. Captain 
Hexamer was placed in command of the Sixth Corps Artillery 
Brigade — Lieutenant A. Parsons taking charge of Battery A. 
This, on the 31st, was ordered to return to Trenton for muster- 
out, its term of service having expired. Lieutenant Parsons, 
however, remained with a portion of the men, and during the 
winter the battery was again filled up, but was not afterwards 
actively engaged. Upon the termination of hostilities it returned 
to the State and was finally dissolved; but the record of its gal- 
lant services still remains, and while valor and constancy in duty 
are appreciated and esteemed, will desei-vedly be held in honor 
among men. Composed largely of adopted citizens — of Ger- 
mans in whose breasts the love of Liberty amounted to a passion 
— it fought from first to last with a heroism, a loftiness of pur- 
pose, and a spirit of noble consecration which none, among all 
the volunteer organizations of the war, ever surpassed; and its 
survivors, in whatever spheres of action they may now be em- 
ployed, may well wear their scars with pride, and rejoice in the 
memories of their service as in hidden treasure. 



2!)4 FIRST XEIV JERSEY BRIGADE. 



Reports of Movements at Battle of Crampton's Pass. 



Report of Colonel A. T. A. Torbert, First New Jersey Infantry, 
Commanding First Brigade. 

Hdqrs. First Brig., First Div., Sixth Corps, 
Camp in Crampton's Pass, near Burkettsville, Md., 

September i6. 1862. 

Sir — T have the honor to report the following as the part 
taken by the First Brigade in the action on the 14th at Cramp- 
ton's Pass, Md. : 

It being decided to attack the enemy posted in the pass, the 
division was ordered to advance in six lines, two regiments front, 
the First Brigade being in rear. About 3 o'clock I marched my 
brigade in two lines by the right flank under cover till we gained 
the open ground, when the advance was made in line of battle as 
follows : First line, First and Second Regiments New Jersey- 
Volunteers; second line, 150 paces in rear. Third and Fourth 
Regiments New Jersey Volunteers. They advanced about a half 
mile with great regularity through clover and corn fields, inter- 
sected by high wood and stone fences, being exposed the greater 
part of the time to the enemy's artillery fire. Arriving within 
supporting distance of Colonel Bartlett's Brigade, which was 
engaging the enemy, I halted. Soon after I ordered the Second 
Regiment New Jersey Volunteers forward to relieve one of 
Colonel Bartlett's regiments, which was out of ammunition, 
which they did with promptness. The enemy was posted behind 
a stone wall at the base of the mountains, with a wood just behind 
them. 

At this time the distance between the contending parties was 
between 300 and 400 yards, an open field intervening. Thinking 
the distance too great. General Newton ordered me to charge for- 
ward to the wood. ^Accordingly, I ordered forward my second 
line, Third and Fourth Regiments New Jersey Volunteers, to 
charge across the open field into the woods. The front line was 



FIRST NEW JBRSEV BRIGADE. 295 

ordered to cease firing. A cheer, and the men went forward at 
double quick in a most gallant manner, jumping the fence on 
the way, behind which our men had been fighting. When they 
had advanced about 150 yards, I ordered the second line, First 
and Second Regiments, to charge in the same manner as the first, 
which they did in a handsome manner. The enemy, although 
holding a very strong position, and having the advantage of ar- 
tillery, could not stand these charges, so broke and fled up the 
mountain side in great disorder, closely pursued by our men, who 
drove them through the pass, and some distance in the valley on 
the other side, wdien night put an end to'^the pursuit. 

Too much cannot be said in praise of the bravery and gallantry 
of both officers and men, for they certainly did credit to them- 
selves and the State they represent. 

I am pleased to make particular mention of Lieutenant-Colonel 
Collet, Third Regiment New Jersey Volunteers, commanding 
First Regiment New Jersey Volunteers ; Colonel Buck, Second 
Regiment; Colonel Brown, Third Regiment, and Colonel Hatch, 
Fourth Regiment, for their bravery, coolness, and the admirable 
manner in which they handled their regiments. 

Where officers and men all behave with such gallantry, it would 
be invidious to particularize. 

A great many of the enemy were taken prisoners, and among 
them several officers. The brigade captured nearly enough 
Springfield rifled muskets to arm the Fourth Regiment New Jer- 
sey Volunteers, who were before armed with the smooth-bore 
musket. 

I am happy to state that the Fourth Regiment New Jersey 
Volunteers, which lost its colors before Richmond, captured two 
colors during the engagement. 

I take great pleasure in making honorable mention of my staff. 
Lieut. Henry P. Cook, Second Regiment, acting assistant ad- 
jutant-general; Capt. James G. Fitts, brigade commissary, and 
Lieut. Charles Wilson, Third Regiment, acting aide-de-camp, 
for their bravery, coolness, promptness and correctness in carry- 
ing my orders to dififerent parts of the field. 

I regret to mention the death of Josiah S. Studdiford, first 
lieutenant and adjutant, Fourth Regiment New Jersey Volun- 



296 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

teers, who fell while gallantly cheering on his men, just as we 
had gained the top of the pass. 

The loss to the brigade has been as follows : One officer killed, 
9 officers wounded ; total, lO. Thirty-nine non-commissioned 
officers and privates killed, 125 non-commissioned officers and 
privates wounded; total, 164. Aggregate. 174. 

I cannot pay too high a compliment to the medical staff of the 
brigade for the manner in which they performed their duty. 

The chaplains of the different regiments deser\'e great credit 
for their assistance in conveying the wounded to the rear and 
administering to their wants. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

A. T. A. TORBERT, 

Colonel First Kcgiiiicut Nezv Jersey J'ols., 

Coinutdg. Brigade. 
Major Rodgers, 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



Report of Lietenant-Colonel Mark W. Collet, Third New Jersey 
Infantry, Commanding First New Jersey Infantry. 

Hdqrs. First Regiment New Jersey Volunteers, 

September 16, 1862. 

Sir — I have the honor to report : 

The First Regiment New Jersey Volunteers, with the Second 
Regiment New Jerse)' Volunteers, was in the first line of the 
brigade. The advance across the fields, under a heavy fire of 
shell and solid shot from the enemy's batteries, was steady and 
unwavering. When the order was given to "Charge, and drive 
the rebels from the hill," the regiment, with cheers, started, and 
halted only when the enemy was driven from the hill and entirely 
dispersed. 

Where officers and men all behaved with such distinguished 
gallantry, it is impossible to single out one for particular mention. 




MARK WILKES COLLET, 
Colonel First New Jersey Volunteers. 
Killed at the Battle of Salem Church. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 297 

The killed and wounded in the First New Jersey, as far as yet 
ascertained, are as follows : 

********* 

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

M. W. C01.1.ET, 
Lieut. Col. Third N. J. Vols., 
in command of first N. J. Vols. 
First Lieut. H. P. Cooke, 

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, Nezv Jersey Brigade. 



Report of Colonel Samuel L. Buck, Second New Jersey Infantry. 

Hdqrs. Second Regiment New Jersey Volunteers, 
Camp in Crampton's Pass, 

September 16, 1862. 

Sir — The movements of this regiment previous to, and in 
action of, 14th instant are as follows : 

Marched from camp near Buckey's Station at 6 a. m.. Second 
Regiment in column; arrived at Jefferson at 11 o'clock; biv- 
ouacked about one hour; then advanced within 2 miles of Cramp- 
ton's Pass; there rested one hour and thirty minutes; advanced 
by the flank under cover of rising ground until within musket- 
range of the enemy; formed in line of battle (having the left of 
the advance line of the brigade), and moved forward to relieve 
one regiment of Bartlett's brigade, posted in rear of a rail fence. 
We occupied the same position which they had left, and opened 
fire on the enemy. After firing about twenty minutes, the Fourth 
Regiment of the second line advanced through our lines and 
made a charge across an open field, followed immediately by us, 
both reaching the stone fence about the same time, behind which 
the enemy were in position. The enemy broke and fled, we pur- 
suing them up the hill and through the pass. As we advanced, 
the regiment wheeled to the right, the left resting on the crest of 
the hill on the left of the road. At this point the enemy were re- 
inforced by fresh regiments, but they could not withstand our 
fire, and, without getting into position, broke and fled, we fol- 
lowing them down the hill and along the road a distance of about 



298 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

a quarter of a mile, where we could see the baggage train of the 
enemy, protected by two pieces of artillery, in full retreat. As 
we appeared, they opened on us with grape and canister. If our 
men had been fresh at this point, we could easily have taken the 
artillery and part of the baggage train, but the men were so 
fatigued, and darkness coming on, the enemy made good their 
escape. Being relieved by the Ninety-fifth Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers, by order of Colonel Torbert we fell back about a quarter 
of a mile, encamping in a field on the left-hand side of the road, 
which position we occupy at the present time. 

As regards the conduct of officers and men. I would state that 
it was all that could be desired or expected. Where all exhibited 
so much detennination and gallantry, it would be invidious to 
particularize, but I cannot close without calling your attention to 
the brave conduct of Color Corpl. Joseph Donovan, of Company 
A, who bore our colors through the thickest of the fight in the 
most gallant manner, and justly merits promotion. 

Herewith find list of casualties : 

Trusting the above will meet your approbation. I am. very 
respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Saml. L. Buck, 

Colonel, Commanding. 
Lieut. H. P. Cooke, 

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General. 



Report of Colonel Henry Brown, Third New Jersey Infantry. 

Hdqrs. Third Regiment New Jersey Voluxtekrs, 
Camp in Crampton's Pass, Md., 

September 15. 1862. 
Sir — On Sunday morning, the 14th instant, about six o'clock, 
we left our bivouac, and marched through a pass over the moun- 
tain to Jefiferson, where we halted in a field by the town for some 
time. A little before noon we again marched to a point about a 
half mile to the rear of the village of Burkettsville. where we 
formed a line of battle on the slope of a wooded height, a little 



FIRST NEIV JERSEY BRIGADE. 299 

on the right of the enemy's position. After remaining a few 
minutes, we moved forward into a swampy hollow, and there 
remained until 4 o'clock p. m., when we marched by a flank side 
by side with the First Regiment, followed respectively by the 
Fourth and Second, keeping as well concealed as the nature of 
the ground permitted from the fire of the enemy's artillery, which 
was strongly posted on a road which leads nearly parallel to the 
hillside from Burkettsville, and turned suddenly to the left 
through the gap (artillery was also posted on the steep, rocky, 
and woody height), until we came directly in front of the enemy's 
position, where we halted. 

The First and Second Regiments moved forward, forming the 
first line of the brigade. The Third and Fourth followed to the 
front at a distance varying from 100 to sometimes only 30 paces 
in rear, according to the nature of the ground. We moved thus 
over an open country intersected by high fences, the men clamber- 
ing over as best they could, and quickly regaining their position 
in line, marching with great steadiness and precision, and so 
through a corn-field, still exposed to a hot fire of shell from the 
enemy, for a distance of one-fourth of a mile. At the verge of 
the corn-field we were ordered to halt. Here we lost some men 
from their shell. 

Ten minutes after, we were ordered forward, and moved 
rapidly and steadily across a grass field under cover of a slight 
rise in front. The men were here ordered to lie down in line. 
The first line was now hotly engaged, as we could hear from the 
incessant fusillade intermingled with the roar of the enemy's 
guns, now throwing grape and canister as well as shell. In five 
minutes the Third and Fourth were ordered in to relieve the first 
line, and the men, springing up, went in with a cheer up to, over, 
and through the high fence held by the enemy at the base of the 
Avooded heights and strongly lined by his sharpshooters, who 
delivered their fire with great rapidity. But nothing could with- 
stand the onset of our men. The enemy broke and fled, pur- 
sued by our men without halt up the sides of the mountain, 
climbing up the shingly sides of the hill until they reached the 
road before mentioned. 



300 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

Here it was observed that a battalion of the enemy were form- 
ing on the right of our Hne, now become the first line of the 
brigade, when we changed front forward and delivered a de- 
structive fire on his half-formed line, followed up by a renewal 
of the charge, when he broke utterly and the pursuit continued. 
A party of my regiment, under command of Lieutenant Fairly, 
my acting adjutant, and Lieutenant Hufty, consisting of about 
20 men, moved off from the regiment by my order, and circling 
round by the road to the right, got in rear of and around the 
heights up which the body of the regiment was pursuing the 
retreating foe. They moved with such rapidity that many of the 
party fell out exhausted, and on their arri^■al at the point de- 
scribed in rear the adjutant found he had but five men. With 
these he succeeded in capturing 4 of the enemy's officers and many 
of their men. This party, being out of ammunition, was obliged 
to abandon the pursuit, though they delivered their last remain- 
ing fire into the enemy's artillery, now in full retreat, and which 
could easily have been captured had there been cavalry to pursue. 

Tlius ended a sharp and well-contested action, in which tlie 
enemy had every advantage of numbers, position and artillery 
In his utter and complete rout, my men showed here what they 
could do wdien they had a fair chance, and they liere well sus- 
tained the honor of New Jersey on this field. I have not to regret 
the loss of any officer killed. Captain Stickne}-, of Company F, 
and Second Lieutenant Lambson, of Company E, are both 
slightly wounded. ]\Iy officers and men behaved most gallantly. 
Those officers who had received their commissions on the pre- 
vious day (all in command of companies) showed by their con- 
duct how well they had deserved their promotion. Lieutenant- 
Colonel Campbell, of the Fifteenth Regiment New Jersey Volun- 
teers, late captain of Company E, in my regiment, and of the 
acceptance of whose resignation I have not yet received official 
notice, was my only acting field officer, and though \\ here all have 
distinguished themselves it might seem invidious to particularize, 
I should be acting unjustly did I not mention how nobly he as- 
sisted me. T must also mention First Lieut. David Fairly, my 
acting adjutant, for his promptness in repeating my command, 
as well as for his perfect coolness and daring intrepidity. Lieu- 
tenant Hufty also behaved remarkably well. 



FIRST NEJV JERSEY BRIGADE. 301 

One of my officers captured the colors of the Cobb Legion at 
the same time with a private, but seeing the man belonged to 
the Fourth Regiment of our brigade, he gave up his claim to the 
colors, and gave Colonel Hatch the sling in the evening. Both 
color-bearers of my regiment. Sergeant Haggerty, of Company 
A, and Corporal Westcott, of Company B, behaved with dis- 
tinguished gallantry, waving their colors continually in advance, 
and I cannot speak too highly of the conduct of Acting Sergeant- 
Dalziel, of Company D, who accompanied my acting adjutant 
with the party detailed and brought down many of the enemy 
with his unerring rifle. 

My entire loss was ii killed and 28 wounded. 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient ser- 
vant, 

H. W. Brown. 

Colonel, Coinnianding. 

LiKuT. H. P. Cooke, 

Acting Assisfan,f Adjutant-General. 



Report of Colonel William B. Hatch, New Jersey Infantry. 

Crampton's Pass, Md., September 16, .1862. 
Sir — I have the honor to report that in compliance with orders 
received on the i6th instant from Col. A. T. A. Torbert, then in 
command of the brigade, I took position with the Fourth New 
Jersey Volunteers in rear of the Second Regiment, forming part 
of the second line of battle. The Second Regiment had engaged 
the enemy, who held a strong position behind a stone wall at the 
foot of the mountain with a large force of infantry. I then re- 
ceived orders to charge the enemy. I advanced across a plowed 
field of 400 yards in extent under a heavy cross-fire from the 
enemy's artillery, which was planted on the mountain slope, driv- 
ing him from e\'ery point in front of us. We leaped the walls 
and continued in pursuit over the mountain into the gorge and 
up the next ascent to its summit, the enemy retreating in disorder 
into the valley below. We took many prisoners, including a large 

20' F B 



302 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

number of officers, among whom was Col. Lamar, wounded, and 
his adjutant; also two stand of colors. In the eagerness of pur- 
suit we ran over two other rebel flags, which were picked up by 
a New York regiment. Among the spoils of the engagement 
obtained by us were a sufficient number of Springfield rifled mus- 
kets to equip my whole command, who were previousl}- armed 
with an imperfect smooth-bore musket. 

Where officers and men fought with such determination it is 
impossible for me to make an exception for brave and gallant con- 
duct during the engagement. Aly officers bravely cheered on 
their men, who advanced with unflinching steadiness, and main- 
tained their alignment with almost the precision of a battalion 
drill. On the list of casualties of the day the most to be regretted 
is Adjt. Josiah S. Studdiford, who was instantly killed after we 
had reached the gorge between the mountain cliffs. He had 
borne himself gallantly, everywhere cheering the men to victory. 
Ten killed, 27 wounded ; total, T^y. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

W-M. B. Hatch. 
Colonel Fourth Nczc Jersey Vohmteers. 

Lieut. H. P. Cooke, 

Actmg Assistant Adjutant-General. First X. J. Brig. 



Report of Brigadier=Qeneral Howell Cobb, C. S. Army, Com- 
manding Brigade. 

General S. McLaw's Brigade Headquarters, 

Opequon Crossing. September 22, 1862. 
General — On the 13th instant I was ordered by you to take 
and hold possession of Sandy Hook, near Harper's Ferry ; which 
was done, without serious opposition. On the 14th my command 
was ordered by you to return to our former camp, at Browns- 
ville. This order was received about i o'clock p. m., and the 
brigade was immediately marched to that point, reaching there 
about 4 p. m. I had been in camp about an hour when I received 
message from Colonel IMunford. at Crampton's Gap. distant 
about two miles, recommending the removal of my command to 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 303 

that point, as the enemy were pressing the small force at the gap. 
I immediately ordered my two strongest regiments to march to 
their support. Before, however, the head of the column had filed 
into the road I received a message from Colonel Parham, who 
was in command of Mahone's brigade at the gap, to the effect that 
the enemy was pressing him hard with overwhelming numbers, 
and appealing for all the support I could bring to him. I imme- 
diately ordered the remaining two regiments to march, and ac- 
companied the command in person. As I was marching the last 
of the column, I received a message from you, through your as- 
sistant adjutant-general (Major Mcintosh) that I must hold the 
gap if it cost the life of every man in my command. Thus im- 
pressed with the importance of the position, I went forward with 
the utmost dispatch. When I reached the top of the mountain. 
I found that the enemy had been repulsed and driven back in the 
centre and had been pursued down the other side of the mountain 
bv Mahone's brigade. I soon discovered, however, that the 
enemy, by their greatly superior numbers, were flanking us both 
upon the right and left. Two of my regiments were 'sent to the 
right and two to the left to meet these movements of the enemy. 
In this we were successful, until the centre gave way, pressed by 
fresh troops of the enemy and increased numbers Up to this 
time the troops had fought well, and maintained their ground 
against greatly superior forces. The Tenth Georgia Regiment, 
of General Semmes' brigade, had been ordered to the gap from 
their position at the foot of the mountain, and participated in 
the battle with great courage and energy. After the lines were 
broken, all my efforts to rally the troops were unsuccessful. I 
v^as enabled to check their advance by momentary rallies, and. 
the night coming on, I made a successful stand near the foot of 
the mountain, which position we held during the night, and until 
a new position was taken about day-daw^n the next morning, in 
the rear of Brownsville, which position was held until the sur- 
render of Harper's Ferry. General Semmes' brigade and Wil- 
cox's brigade, under the command of Col. Cumming, of the 
Tenth Georgia Regiment, had been ordered, the former by Gen- 
eneral Semmes, the latter by yourself, to my support. They came 
up to the position I occupied during the night: they could not 
have reached me sooner. The whole number of troops engaged 



304 FIRST XnW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

on our side did not exceed 2,200, whilst the force of the eneniy 
was variously estimated from 10,000 to 20,000 men. It could 
not have been less than 10,000 and probably reached 15,000. 

It is impossible for me to report the casualties, as the fate of 
onlv a few of the large niunber missing is certainly known. Of 
tlie number who went into battle there are now missing and un- 
accounted for over 800. The larger potion of this number is be- 
lieved to be prisoners, as we were flanked on both the right and 
the left by the enemy, and, thus surrounded, our men were com- 
pelled to surrender. For the most successful rally made on the 
retreat from the crest of the mountain I was indebted to a sec- 
tion of the Troup Artillery, under Lieutenant [Henry] Jennings. 
The}^ had been ordered forward, and had reached a point where, 
under the terrific fire of the enemy, their pieces were placed in 
position, and, by their prompt and rapid firing, checked for a 
time the advance of the enemy. One of the pieces was brought 
off safely ; the other was lost by an accident to the axle. When I 
reached the gap I found l^oth Colonel Munford and Colonel Par- 
ham active and energetic in the discharge of their duty, which 
continued to the end of the fight. Shortly after the lines were 
broken, and I was endeavoring to rally the troops. General Sem- 
mes appeared on the field, and. at great exposure and with great 
coolness and courage, gave me his cordial aid and co-operation. 
All of the members of my staft' were on the field, and did all that 
could be done under the circumstances. One of them. Col. John 
B. Lamar, of Georgia, volunteer aide, whilst near my side, 
earnestly rallying the men, received a mortal wound, of which 
he died the next da}'. No nobler or bra\cr man lias fallen in this 
war. There were many other acts of personal courage which 
circumstances prevent me from mentioning at present. The rem- 
nant of my brigade marched with the rest of your division frc^m 
Harper's Ferry, and was engaged in the battle of the 17th. at 
Sbarpsburg. I was necessarily absent for two days from the 
command, and reached it the morning after the battle, and the 
present absence of the officer then in command of this l)riga(lc 
prevents a report at this time of that day's operation. 
I am. very res|:)ect fully, yours. &c.. 

HowELi, Cobb. 

Brigadier-General . 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 305 

Report of Brigadier=QeneraI Paul J. Semmes, C. S. Army, Com= 
manding Brigade. 

Major — I have the honor to submit herewith the report of 
JNIajor Hok, commanding the Tenth Georgia Vokmteers, of the 
conduct of his regiment in the battle of Crampton's Gap, on the 
14th instant, together with a list of casualties in his regiment; 
also Captain Manly's report of the part taken l)y his l)atterv in 
the same action : 

By order of Major-General McLaws, a picket, consisting of a 
company, was posted in Burkettsville Gap, wkich, by my orders, 
was afterward increased to three regiments and five pieces of 
artillery, thus employing all the regiments of my brigade, except 
the Tenth Georgia, which had been previously sent to picket the 
Rohrersville road and other avenues leading dowMi Pleasant 
Valley in the direction of Harper's Ferry. On the 13th instant. 
Colonel Parham, commanding Mahone's brigade, reported with 
his command to me by order of Major-General McLaws, with 
directions to post one of his regiments as a picket in Solomon's 
Gap. 

Having soon become more familiar with the roads and passes, 
on the morning of the 14th instant I ordered Colonel Parham. 
with his three remaining regiments and battery, to Crampton's 
Gap, for the purpose of guarding that pass; and directed him, if 
he should need support, to call upon Major Holt, commanding 
the Tenth Georgia Volunteers, for his regiment, then posted on 
the Rohrersville road. On the morning of the 14th instant, 
Brigadier-General Cobb, with his command, was ordered up the 
valley to his old camp near mine, by Major-General McLaws, 
General McLaws informed me that General Cobb would take 
command of Crampton's Gap, and directed that the troops under 
my command should be withdrawn therefrom. When General 
Cobb returned to his old camp, I called on him, and communi- 
cated General McLaws' orders, and soon after set out to visit 
the picket guard in Burkettsville Gap. While on the mountain, 
the enemy engaged Colonel Parham's troops w^ith artillery and 
infantrv at the base of the mountain. I immediately dispatched 



306 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

this information to General Cobb, with the request that he would 
hurry forward his troops to Crampton's Gap, to the support of 
Colonel Parham, and in a few minutes I followed hurriedl}' on 
horseback, for the purpose of offering General Cobb whatever 
assistance it might be in my power to render him. Arriving at 
the base of, and soon after commencing the ascent of, the moun- 
tain at Crampton's Gap, I encountered fugitives from the battle- 
field, and endeavored to turn them back. Proceeding farther up 
the mountain, the troops were met pouring down the road and 
through the wood, in great disorder, where I found General Cobb 
and his staff, at the imminent risk of their lives, using every 
effort to check and rally them. I immediately joined my eft'orts, 
and those of my staff wdio were with me, to General Cobb's, and 
co-operated with him for a considerable time in the vain eft'ort 
to rally the men. Finding it impossible to rally them so near the 
enemy, it was determined to post artillery about half a mile far- 
ther to the rear and bring up two of my regiments from Burketts- 
ville Gap, which had been previously ordered forward, and make 
a stand there to arrest the further advance of the enemy during 
that night. Line of battle was finally formed here. The enemy 
made no further advance. 

Colonel Parham, commanding Mahone's brigade, and Colonel 
Alunford, of the cavalry, as I was informed, jointly made the 
dispositions for the battle, which was conducted under their 
orders, and the troops under their command had been thrown 
into disorder and were retiring from the field before General 
Cobb's command came up. 

Major Holt's report shows that up to the tirne he was disabled 
his regiment behaved well, and I can testify from my own ob- 
servation that Captain Loud, upon whom the command devoh'ed, 
conducted himself most gallantly. A section of Captain Manly's 
battery, and three pieces of the Reserve Artillery, under com- 
mand of Captain Macon, which had been ordered to Burkettsville 
Gap by myself, did good service in breaking the enemy's lines, 
checking his advance, and inflicting loss on him. 

I am, major, ver}' respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Paul J. Semmes, 

Maj. James M. Goggin, Brigadier-General. 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 307 

Report of Colonel Thomas T. Munford, Second Virginia Cavalry, 
Commanding Brigade. 

Headquarters Robertson's Brigade, 

October 3, 1862. 
Major — I have the honor to report that on September 14 the 
enemy drove in my pickets at Burkittsville, and, in accordance 
with the orders received from Major-General Stuart, I assumed 
command at Crampton's Gap (as I was the senior officer), and 
instructed the officers commanding the two fragments of regi- 
ments (infantry) of Mahone's brigade to hold the post at all 
hazards. I posted the infantry behind a stone wall, at the base 
of the mountain, and running parallel with it ; the artillery — 
Chew's battei-y and a section of the Portsmouth Battery (boat 
howitzers) — about half way up the mountain, in the most eligible 
position I could find. I dismounted all the cavalry, and posted 
them on the right and left flanks. Finding that the artillery 
could not reach the enemy from the position selected, with effect, 
I retired the two rifle pieces to the crest of the mountain, and 
from that elevation poured an effective fire into their advancing 
columns. The enemy first advanced his skirmishers and made a 
demonstration as if he intended attacking the gap held by Gen- 
eral Semmes, but, as both his and my artillery played upon him 
with effect, he retired and moved his whole force upon me. As 
soon as his skirmishers were deployed, he advanced one regiment 
of infantry in line of battle, which was immediately followed 
by four others. In half an hour five other regiments appeared 
on their left and advanced in the same way, and in a very short 
time another brigade appeared in the rear of those who had pre- 
ceded them. Soon after the skirmishing commenced, Colonel 
Parham, commanding Mahone's brigade, came up with two very 
small regiments (Sixth and Twelfth Virginia), scarcely 300 men, 
which he soon got in position. General Semmes certainly knew 
the condition of things, as his artillery had been used, and he 
could see what was going on from his gap. I also sent dispatches 
to General Cobb, informing him of what was in front of us. For 
at least three hours this little force maintained their position 



308 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

against Slocum's division. (See General McClellan's dispatch of 
i6th.) After much delay, and some four couriers had been sent. 
General Cobb, with two regiments of his brigade, came up to 
my support. When the General himself came up. I explained 
the i)osition of the troops, and, of course, turned over to him the 
command. At his request I posted the two regiments. The first 
troops, having exhausted all the ammunition, began to fall back 
as soon as their support came up, Colonel Parham ha\ing alread}- 
partially supplied them with ammunition. When the other two 
regiments of General Cobb's brigade came up, he again requested 
me to put them in position, but they behaved badly and did not 
get in position before the wildest confusion commenced, the 
wounded coming to the rear in numbers and more well men com- 
ing with them. General Cobb attempted to rally the men, but 
without the least effect, and it would have been as useless to 
attempt to rally a flock of frightened sheep. Had General Cobb's 
brigade given the support to the first troops engaged which the}- 
deserved, the gap would have been held. The cavalry horses 
were on the road leading- to Boonsborough, and. having pre- 
viously retired the artillery on the Harper's Ferry road ( every 
round of ammunition having been fired for some time before), I 
formed my command, and moved down the mountain, the in- 
fantry still running in great disorder on the Harper's Ferry road, 
followed a short distance by the enemy, who were then between 
them and the cavalry, who had to go for the horses. The enemy 
was at the forks of these roads before many of the cavalry, who 
were the last to give up their position. 

The Second Virginia Cavalry lost i man killed ( Peter Bird, 
Company D) and 2 men wounded. 

Had General Cobb come up in time, the result might have been 
otherwise. There were two stone walls at the base of the moun- 
tain parallel to each other, and one commanding the other, which 
could have been held against great odds had the troops been in 
position. 

It affords me great pleasure to commend Colonel Parham as a 
gallant and efficient soldier; he did everything in his power to 
hold his position, and his little command fought splendidly. 

Captain Chew used his gims with great coolness and eft'ect, 
and his batterv onlv retired when he had exhausted everv round 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 309 

of ammunition. The guns of the Portsmouth Battery were of 
too short range to be effective. 

The cavah-y (Second and Twelfth) behaved splendidly under 

the fire they were placed, and did good service with their rifles. 

Colonel Parham's loss must have been heavy, as they were a 

long time engaged, and the firing was as heavy as I ever heard. 

I have the honor to be. Major, very respectfully, your obedient 

servant, 

Thomas T. Muni^ord, 

Colonel, Commanding Brigade. 
Maj. J. T. W. Hairston, 

A ssistant A d jut ant- General. 



310 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



The Seven Days' Battle on the Peninsula as Seen 
by a Lieutenant on the Staff. 



Camillc Baqiiet, Esq.. Historian of First Nen^ Jersey Brigade, 
Elizabeth, N. J. 

Dear Sir — In accordance with your request I give you here- 
with my recollections of the Battle of Gaines' Mills. In order 
to give a minute description of this battle, it may iDe well to de- 
scribe where the New Jerse}- Brigade started from' to go into it, 
and how it came to be where it did start from. 

The brigade had been at the village of Mechanicsville, shout 
three and a half miles from Richmond, on the northern side of 
the Chickahominy, during the latter part of the month of May. 
It was moved up from Mechanicsville about a mile and a half 
west up the Chickahominy near the Meadow Bridge, but was 
not on picket at that bridge when Fitzhugh Lee's cavalry at- 
tacked the picket of the United States Cavalry commanded by 
Captain Royal and killed a number of his men and desperately 
wounded that officer. Captain Royal was well known in Bur- 
lington, New Jersey, he having married a sister of Admiral 
John Howell, of that city. 

The brigade was witlidrawn soon after that and nio\e(l ddwn 
the Chickahominy, taking the road on top of the northern ridge 
and stopping near Dr. Gaines' house. 

On the 31st of May the brigade was under orders to move at 
a moment's notice and the battle of Fair Oaks was in progress 
on the southern side of the river. Part of it could be seen and 
a good deal of it heard. 

On the morning of the first of June the brigade moved down 
across the Chickahomin}- and out on the battlefield of Fair 
Oaks. General Taylor informed me that we had been held in 
reserve through the morning and were considered the support 
of the second line. We were not engaged, because the fight was 
practically over before we reached the field, but Captain George 
Wood, whose mothei- lived next to my father's house in Bur- 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 311 

lington and who was captain in a Pennsylvania regiment, was 
carried by and spoke tO' me while I was sitting on my horse with 
General Taylor at the edge of the battlefield. Captain Wood 
w'as shot through the leg. The brigade ^^■as encamped on tnis 
battlefield along the eastern side of the road running to Rich- 
mond, having crossed on what was known as the Grapevine 
Bridge, across the Chickahominy, and while there I visited the 
Second Brigade, many of whom, particularly in the Fifth Regi- 
ment, came from Burlington. George Burling, afterwards Gen- 
eral Burling, commanded a regiment. They had had a very 
desperate fight and many of them had been killed and wounded. 
They were camped directly on the spot where they had fought, 
and for many reasons it was the most disagreeable camp I ever 
saw, dead men and dead horses having been only covered with 
perhaps six inches or a fqot of earth, and the stench and the 
flies exceeded anything I ever saw before or since. We re- 
mained here until the morning of the 27th of June. All through 
the afternoon of the 26th up to nine o'clock that night there 
had been a heavy battle raging at and around Mechanicsville, 
and the roar of the guns and the flashes of the shells had been 
very continuous. Early in the morning of the 27th the Brigade 
was moved down with the rest of Slocum's division near the 
Grapevine Bridge and over the small hill from which the north 
side of the Chickahominy River could be vtry well seen. 

It is my recollection that the tents, which were of course 
shelter tents, and the knapsacks of all the brigade, were left in 
the camp when we moved out that morning, and the reason I 
think so is because I was in charge of the detail which buried, 
the knapsacks of the entire Fourth Regiment which were in their 
camp when we returned late on the night of the 27th after the 
battle. These knapsacks were buried 011 the morning of the 
28th of June, 1862, and while I have never been at the place 
since, although I have visited the battlefield of Gaines' Mills 
twice, I have always thought that I could find this place, if the 
members of the Fourth Regiment have not already done so; of 
this I do not know. 

About eight o'clock in the morning General Taylor directed 
me to goi over the river and get some idea of the topography of 



312 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

the ground upon which we would probably fight. After cross- 
ing the river, riding across. I went to the westward, crossing a 
field or two, and came to a barn on the top of which were some 
signal officers, one of whom I knew, he being from my own 
regiment. He asked me to come up on top of the barn and I 
climbed uj). and from there about half a mile away through a 
small gap in the woods, I watched a solid column of the enemy 
])assing from left to right, until I was sure that a very heav}- 
body of infantry was making that movement. I then went to 
the northwestward until I came to our line of battle. The men 
were lying down along the edge of the pine woods and, so far 
as I saw, there was no rifle pit or attempt of any shelter of that 
kind. I rode along for certainl}- the length of the entire (li\-ision 
and got a fair idea of the lay of the land, and I saw a place 
which has considerable lo do with mv account of this battle. 
It was a swale or shallow ravine possibly, where it came through 
the i)ine woods, about six feet deep and one hundred feet wide. 
Oil the northwest side of it there was a i>each orchard and high 
grass, and from the configxiration of the country I judged that 
the swale was formed from the water-wash through that or- 
chard towards the Chickahominy. There was no creek or rivu- 
let going through it, but there was quite a deep ditch running 
along in the fields to the eastward, perpendicular to the direc- 
tion of the swale. Onr line of battle was not in the ditch but 
considerably to the westward of it, say one hundred and fifty 
yards. I do not remember what troops were there, but I think 
that at least some of them were Regulars. Mv reason for think- 
ing so is because I sjwke to and saw reg'ular officers whom I 
knew. The line of battle was not extended across this swale 
when I saw it in the morning, nor was it in the afternoon when 
1 saw it again. I extended mv observations along the line of 
battle for probabl}- a mile, to which this swale was nearly a 
central point. 1 made careful observations because I could not 
tell where our ]>rigade would go in. I made a pencil .sketch of 
the line as it api>eared to me and returned to General Taylor 
with as much information as I could gi\-e him, together with 
the sketch. The swale and ditch were marked upon the sketch. 



FIRST XEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 313 

as was also the barn where the signal officers w'ere, and the 
g-eneral direction and the distance from the bridg-e-head as near 
as I conld g-ive it. I do not know why it occurred to me that 
the conrse of the brigade should be to the left after we crassed 
the bridge, but it was so, and the reason I did think so was 
because I saw immediately that that was the weakest part of 
our line oi battle. 

About two' o'clock in the afternoon we had not vet crossed 
the bridge. It will be remembered that one of the names of 
this battle of Gaines' Mills, is the "Noiseless Battle." At four 
o'clock in the afternoon there were nearly sixty thousand men 
engaged, having a great number of cannon, firing an immense 
number oi cartridges (of course at that" time loaded with black 
noisy powder), and it is a fact that persons within two miles of 
that battle never heard a sound of it. Ordinarily the noise of 
that battle would easily have been heard for fifty miles. 

I remember afterwards that although the smoke of the guns 
and of the musketry and the bursting of the shells in the air was 
distinctly visible to all of us, yet there was exceedingly little or 
no noise where we were until after we crossed the bridge, 
although we were within three-quarters of a mile from wntre 
the battle was going on. 

I think there are only one or two occasions in the history of 
the world in which such peculiar conditions of the atmosphere 
existed at the time of battle. About three o'clock one of Gen- 
eral Slocum's aides came to General Taylor with orders to cross 
the bridge at once. We moved down and crossed, and were 
directed to move obliquely to- the left and take position in a 
large field which was a clover field, in echelon. The battalions 
were closed in mass on the centre, with intervals of one hundred 
and twenty paces between the battalions. The Fourth Regiment 
was the left rear echelon; the Third was the next; then the 
Second ; then the First. The field was a very large one and 
sloped both ways, first the rise from the river to the top of it, 
then a slope towards the pine woods which I have spoken of 
on the northern side. In forming the echelon, all the brigade 
passed over the crest of the hill. As soon as the brigade was 
in this position General Taylor ordered arms in place rest. 



314 FIRST NEJV JERSEY BRIGADE. 

In front of us and about five hundred yards away there was 
g-oing on a very severe battle, and many bullets came up from 
the woods and some cannon balls and shells. In a few moments 
the General sent orders to the brigade to lie down. Just as we 
came into position, a brigade which had been fighting in the 
woods right in front of us and which contained Duryea's Regi- 
ment of Zouaves, of N'ew York, fell back out of the woods, 
not in very much disorder, but breaking both to the right and 
left. Their place was taken by Sykes' brigade, of the regular 
army, which passed into their place coming from the left and 
which went into position just about the time that our men lay 
down on the hill. The regulars took up a fight Avhich com- 
menced to rage again with great fury; their line pressed into 
the woods and disappeared from our sight. The bullets com- 
menced to come out of the \\-(3ods and came in where we were 
in a very disagreeable manner, which I distinctly remember, as 
I sat on my horse with much more apparent coolness than I 
really felt, alongside of the General, who certainly was very 
cool. In a few moments a very great many wounded men be- 
gan to come back from the woods, some being carried, some 
being assisted, and some limping back themselves; and before 
very long an aide of General Slocum's came to General Taylor 
and ordered him to put his brigade in line of battle and advance. 
At this moment an incident occurred of which I was personally 
cognizant and part of -which I was an eye W'itness to. I may 
digress here for a moment, and say that on the crest of the hill 
of which I have spoken, and which we passed, lying between 
the Fourth and the Third Regiments, was a batterv of seven 
machine g"uns, the first that were ever tried in battle, I believe, 
and the only ones I think at that time in any anny of the world. 
They were called the "Union Cofifee Mill Guns," and consisted 
of a single rifle-barrel with an arrangement like a hopper at 
the butt of the barrel, into which cartridges were put, and the 
turning of a crank did the rest. I have also called to mind the 
fact that at the battle of Gaines' Mills the first New Jersey 
Brigade used a cartridge in which the powder and ball were 
enclosed together in some inflammable paper, it not being neces- 
sary to bite the cartridge, but merely to put it in the rifle and 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 315 

ram down. I do not think they were ever used after the Penin- 
sula Campaign, but the brigade was furnished with from sixty 
to eighty of these cartridges per man at the battle of Gaines' 
Mills. I think the "Union Coffee Mill Guns" had this same 
kind of a cartridge, but I am not sure of this. 

Sergeant Dalzell, of the Third New Jersey Regiment, in the 
writings of this battle, was for a time in charge of this battery, 
and I think that finally all the guns were lost. The reason that I 
speak about this battery so particularly is because it was at a trial 
of these machine guns some weeks previous, at which I was 
present by General Taylor's orders, I met for the first time the two 
French officers now known as the Comte de Paris, the Bourbon 
Pretender to the throne of France, and his cousin the Duke de 
Chartres. These officers I subsequently met on several occasions 
Avhen I was sent with messages from General Taylor to General 
McClellan while the brigade occupied the extreme right of the 
army above Mechanicsville near the Meadow Bridge. I knew 
them by sight and from introduction, and they did not very much 
resemble each other. 

Immediately after General Slocum's aide had given orders to 
General Taylor to advance his brigade, and before the brigade 
had gotten into line of battle from the massed formation, an 
officer, riding very fast and coming down the line from the east, 
rode up to General Taylor and commenced speaking to him very 
rapidly in French (both of these officers whom I have mentioned 
spoke English perfectly well). General Taylor neither spoke 
not understood French, and he turned to me and said : "Who the 
devil is this, and what is he talking about?" I said to him: 
"This is the Comte de Paris, serving on General McClellan's 
staff, and he has come to you by General Porter's orders, under 
which vou are to give him one of our regim.ents." General Tay- 
lor said to me: "Do you know him?" I said, "Yes, sir, I do." 
He said : "Very well, then, give him the Fourth Regiment and 
go and see where he puts it and come back and report. ' These 
last fews words saved me a trip to Libby Prison. We started 
up at once after the Fourth Regiment, where we arrived in a few 
jumps of our horses. The French officer was a good deal ex- 
cited. He was a young man, probably about twenty-five or six 



316 FIRST XEJV JERSEY BRIGADE. 

years of ag'e. I do not think that he said anything to me as we 
were riding, but T do remember that his horse shied at a dead 
man who lay in our way and xery nearly threw him over his head. 
Arrived at the Fourth Regiment, whose Colonel Simpson, a 
West Point officer, was just beginning to form his line of battle, 
I introduced him. Colonel Simpson spoke French very well and 
their conversation was in French. I understood it. and heard 
him tell Colonel Simpson just what I had told General Taylor, 
and he said that if Colonel Simpson would get his regiment in 
columns of fours he would conduct him where he wanted to go. 
The regiment was put in columns of fours and went off to the 
left front, with Colonel Simpson, the French officer and myself 
riding at the head of it. Colonel Simpson on the left of us and 
the French officer between us. We had not gone far before I 
saw that we were approaching the swale that I have spoken of 
before, and soon we arrived at it. To mv great surprise there 
was no more line of battle than there was in the morning, al- 
though there was a very heavy battle going on on the right, on 
the eastern side of this swale. Mv recollection is that there was 
not much going on on the left or western side, but 1 cannot say 
that I remember distinctly about that. At the mouth of this 
swale, apparently waiting for the Fourth Regiment, was the 
Eleventh Pennsylvania Regiment, also in columns and also ap- 
parently under the orders of this French officer: for as soon as 
the Fourth came up IxDth regiments moved off together through 
this swale. The rest of this is soon told. The last I saw of the 
French officer and Colonel Simpson and the right of that regi- 
ment was a swarm of grey-coated soldiers, with their rifles in their 
hands, within no more than thirty yards from us. and with Gen- 
eral Taylor's words in my ears to "Come back and report." I lay 
flat down on my horse, put both spurs to him and did so. I rode 
up the line until I came to some wounded soldiers of the Third 
Regiment, and right here I saw Colonel Tucker, of the Sec(^nd 
Regiment, carried out of the woods and put on a stretcher and 
then shot dead after he was on the stretcher. I asked some "f 
the Third men where General Taylor was, and they said ''With 
the Third Regiment,"' of which regiment he had been colonel 
before he was promoted. I dismounted and tied mv horse to a 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 317 

little mulberry tree at the edge of the woods, and to which tree 
General Taylor's horse was also tied — which tree is still alive, or 
was so within the last four years, as I saw it. I then went up 
through the woods about one hundred and fifty yards and same 
upon the line of battle and soon found General Tajdor, parading 
up and down the line like a wounded lion, and in the midst of 
one of the most terrible battles I ever saw. 

As soon as I came close to him and he saw me he said : "Where 
is the Fourth?" I said: "Gone to Richmond, sir." I shall never 
forget how the old fellow's eyes glared, as with his sword in his 
hand he turned to me and said : "Young man, this is no place for 
levity." I said : "They are captured, every man of them." He 
said : "My God, My God/' and fairly wrung his hands. 

Now, this is an incident of the capture of the Fourth Regi- 
ment as witnessed and participated in by a staff officer. The 
identity of the French officer who conducted the Fourth Regi- 
ment into the woods where it was lost has been a subject of ques- 
tion ever since. 

Colonel Simpson, in his report of the battle and his capture, 
mentions the name of the Duke de Chartres as having been his 
conductor. 

When I joined General Taylor he was near the left of the com- 
panies of the Third Regiment; the smoke was so thick that it 
was impossible to see twenty yards. The afternoon was very 
hot and the air close, and probably the peculiar condition of the 
atmosphere of which I have spoken had something to do with it, 
for I never saw smoke so thick in any battle as- it was at Gaines' 
Mills. 

The firing of the enemy in our front was very constant, rapid 
and heavy, and while a good many of our men were being hit 
it appeared to me that the bullets went high and the bark and the 
chips fell off the trees over our heads. All of the men of the 
Third Regiment were lying down on the ground, loading and 
firing from that position, and the same was true of the First and 
Second Regiment, who were 'on the right of the Third. The 
first and only order that General Taylor gave me after I joined 
him in the woods was given within two or three minutes after I 
came up to him. and after my report of the Fourth Regiment, 
21 F B 



318 FIRST KEIV JERSEY BRIGADE. 

which 1 have detailed above. He said : "Those men are not 
firing- at anything. It is too thick to see. Go to the regiments 
and give the orders to cease tiring and let the smoke rise." I 
went along the line, gave th.e order to every officer whom I saw — 
captains, lieutenants and held officers. There were a great many 
of the poor fellows dead and hurt, and my dear cousin, Penrose 
Buckley, Captain of Company C, of the Third Regiment, with 
whom I had enlisted in May, 1861, was lying on the ground 
among his men, several of whom were dead and a number 
w(junded, and he was pressing a bloody handkerchief to his left 
hip as I passed along. I said to him : "How is it with you, 
Penn?" and he said : "Not bad, Ned, onlv a buckshot in my hip." 
That is the last I ever saw of him. He was shot through the 
lungs a few minutes afterwards, and la}- on that spot four days 
in agony and died there. Before this last mortal wound he had 
a hand-to-hand encounter with two of the enemy, one of whom 
he killed, and the other shot him through the lungs. This is the 
testimony of John Stewart, Sergeant of Company C. who was 
lying on the ground beside him with his right arm shot off at 
the wrist, and who is still living at this day. After having com- 
municated the order to cease firing I returned along the line, look- 
ing for General Taylor. As T reached about the centre of the 
Third Regiment the smoke had risen from the ground, as a curtain 
rolls up, slowly, and there was no firing on the part of the enemy. 
Our men. doubtless glad to be reliexed from their cramped posi- j 
tions, arose from the ground, some on their knees, and some 
standing erect peering through the smoke. 

As we know now, the enemy were in the sunken road which 
passed through the woods parallel with the line of the brigade, 
where undoubtedlv our line of battle should have been formed 
in the morning. This sunken road was deep enough to cover 
a man to his arm-pits, and therefore onU- the head and 
shoidders of the enemv were above the level of the ground, and 
the enemy was distant only about forty-five yards when what I 
am speaking of occurred. I have paced the distance more than 
once since on that spot and believe this to be accurate. 

Both General Taylor and I distinctly heard the clear order. 
"Aim," come out of the smoke at the front, and instantlv the 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 31!» 

order, "Fire!" The volley that fell upon the brigade was the 
most withering I ever saAv delivered, for the men were totally 
imprepared for it. Under that volley the New Jersey Brigade 
broke all to pieces. I do not know whether before this there was 
any break in the line of battle to the left of the New Jersey Bri- 
gade. History is somewhat misty about this, but I do know that 
the brigade fell back in great disorder upon receiving this volley. 

General Taylor and several of the officers attempted to rally 
the men, but this was impossible. The General said to me : "We 
must get in front of them. Where's my horse?" It happened 
that I knew where his horse was, for I had tied my own beast to 
the same mulberry tree and he \\'as no more than fifty or sixty 
yards from where we were. James Morrow, of Company C, 
Third Regiment, who' is still living, helped me to find these 
horses, and directly at the edge of the woods and right in the 
midst of the retiring brigade, General Taylor ordered me to get 
in front of the men, w'hich would be to the rear, for he was com- 
ing back to rally them. We had gone but a few steps when we 
came to a ditch which I ha\'e spoken of previously, and my horse, 
which was the black stallion so well known to our brigade, cleared 
the ditch easily at one bound. General Taylor's horse l>alked just 
on the edge of it and General Taylor very nearly went over his 
head. Seeing that the horse would not leap, I dismounted, went 
through the ditch and then led him up on the other side, upon 
which General Taylor put spurs to his horse and galloped oft', 
swinging his sword and calling to- his men tO' rally. 

One of the curious incidents of my life happend just here. My 
horse was very much excited by the noise and confusion, and just 
as I put one foot in the stirrup he swung around so that I had 
great difficulty in getting my other leg up; finally I did so, and 
-was just starting to rejoin General Taylor when a very tall and 
handsome young man came to me and put his hand on the pom- 
mel of my saddle; he had in his other hand a National Regi- 
mental color. The lower part of his face and his chest were 
covered with blood. He said to me. "Vm hit so hard that I 
don't think I can go any further, so I turn this over to you." I 
took the colors, put my horse to full run, went through the crowd 
of retreatino- men and found Gjeneral Taylor, who was forming 



320 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



a line about quarter of a mile in the rear of where we had been 
fighting, and found a small patch of the Second Regiment, which 
was the nucleus around which that regiment was rallying, and 
gave the colors to them. 

The curious part of this matter is that I do not remember that 
I ever had occasion to mention this incident in public until the 
year 1888, when I was Department Commander of the G. A. R. 
in New Jersey, and at a campfire in Freehold, in the Opera 
House; before a very large audience and an attentive one, I 
related it. Upon stating just as I have now, and saying that T 
turned those colors over finally to the rallying regiment, a tall, 
white-haired man with a long, drooping white moustache, rising 
from the centre of the audience said: ''That is exactly true; I 
am the man, and here is the wound," and drawing aside his 
moustache he showed that his lips had been almost entirely cut 
off, which was the wound of which I have spoken, and he was 
the color-bearer of our Second Regiment, who had turned the 
colors over to me at the Battle of Gaines' Mills. An account of 
this curious incident was published in the Freehold papers the 

following day. 

As the Brigade retreated from the woods we saw the melan- 
choly sight of our guns of the artillery of our division being cap- 
tured, and we also^iad a glimpse of the rushing to and tro of a 
small body of cavaliT, which is known to be Rush's Lancers, 
Sixth Pennsylvania Cavaliy. Twenty-one of those guns were 
lost right there, and I wish to say that our brigade was not at 
any time placed in support of these guns directly. 

The last I saw of the ''Union Coffee Mills" guns they were m 
a mass together on a little rise of ground about two hundred 
yards back of our line, and this was when we were retreating. I 
have alwavs understood here that Sergeant Dalzell, who was the 
color-bearer of the Third Regiment, was with these guns at that 

time. 

After returning the colors to a group of the Second Regiment, 
which was the nucleus of the new line and which line was form- 
ing very rapidly, for the men were not running away in a panic 
at all, and after General Taylor got in front of them and called 
them to rallv, thev did rallv and at once. It was then getting 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 321 

quite dusk and on the right of our brigade there came up a 
brigade from the direction of the Chickahominy, and this I found 
to be General Meagher's Irish Brigade. This brigade went into 
position on the right of our hne, and I want tO' say that our hne 
was formed before that brigade came up, and of this I am 
positive. 

While our line was forming, men came in from the front and 
took position, regardless of what regiment they belonged to, and 
in that line there were a great many men of other regiments 
besides the Jersey regiments. General Taylor told me to go to 
the left and help anybody form the line down tO' the river, and 
this I did assisting several general officers whose names I did 
not know, and about dark there was quite a good line formed, the 
left of which extended almost to the river if not quite there. 
There were a few pieces of artillery in this line on the left and 
some few cavalry. The enemy came out of the woods immedi- 
ately after the brigade retreated through the woods, a very solid, 
good formation, but after taking the guns which I have spoken 
of, for some extraordinary reason they did not come on any 
further, and why, I have never been able to ascertain from any 
account of this battle that I have ever read. There was no mili- 
tary reason that any one can see why a charge by the enemy 
along the line, or at any part of it, after General Porter's line of 
battle was broken, should not have been entirely and absolutely 
successful. 

There is no question that our brigade and others would have 
fought on that last line, but I think that it would have been a 
forlorn hope. The battle was totally lost, and every man knew it. 

The enemy did not advance, and after dark the troops com- 
menced to retire across the bridges in our rear. These bridges 
were small, frail things, not much wider than to allow four men 
to march abreast. 

In the rear of the entire left of the new line of which I spoke, 
there was only one of them. The orders to withdraw our brigade 
camie to General Taylor about quarter of nine o'clock. The 
enemy had been firing slowly with artillery and undoubtedly en- 
deavoring to strike the bridges, and many of their shot came 



322 FIRST XEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

close to the bridge-heads, but I do not think that any of them 
struck tlie l)ridge itself. 

Just at nine o'clock, as the Third Regiment was going over 
the bridge, and the General and myself were riding with it, just 
before we came to the bridge-head. Lieutenant Howell, of Com- 
pany I, of the Third Regiment, who was one of mv dearest 
personal friends, came out of the ranks and shook hands with 
nre, saying how glad he was that we were both alive. He walked 
a few paces and turned to say something else to me or to some 
of his comipany, and a round shot that was fired by the enemy s 
gim struck him full in the breast and literally tore him to pieces. 

The brigade crossed the bridge and returned to its camp which 
they left in the morning, not far from the Fair Oaks battlefield, 
which it reached about ten o'clock that night. This was one of 
the most sorrowful nights that I ever remember. We had lost a 
great battle, which every man and ofificer knew should ne\er have 
been fought in that way, and at that place, and everv one of us 
lost dear friends and companions, and, what was worse, .their 
mangled l)odies were at the tender mercy of the enemy. Only a 
few wounded men escaped, and what few we did get away were 
taken to the field hospital at Savage Station and fell into the 
hands of the enemy there. This battle was a stupendous military 
error from Ijeginning to end. History shows now, and our mili- 
tary leaders should have known then, that after the battle of 
Mechanicsville, the day before, in which the enemy suffered 
severe repulse, the right wing of our armv should have been with- 
drawn that night to the south of the Chickahominy River, and 
under no circumstances should have been allowed to wait in that 
false position, in which they met the fierce assault of the forty 
thousand fresh troops of Stonewall Jackson, who was then com- 
ing through the A-alley, and was known to l>e coming, and who 
struck us hard in the place where we were without intrenchments 
and without support, on the afternoon of the 27th of June. Any 
one who reads history cannot fail to see that General McClellan's 
fatal mistake in his Chickahominy campaign was that he did not 
advance with his whole force on Richmond after he had practi- 
cally won the battle of Fair Oaks. 

The next morning the sorrowful dutv of biu}ing the knapsacks 
of the Fourth Regiment, to which T have alluded, was performed. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 323 

and I was detailed to see that this was done, and 1 (hd so, and I 
think I can tind the place, although I have never tried to. The 
next day the Brigade moved to Savage Station, and after a short 
halt moved on towards White Oak Swamp. During this halt at 
Savage Station many of us \dsited the field hospitals in which 
were the wounded whom we had been able to bring from the 
Gaines' Mills fight, and many wounded men who had been in that 
battle W'Cre in tents scattered around the ground of the station 
house, and here I paid a last farewell to many a dear friend, 
among them Lieutenant Wm. Evans, of Company B, of the 
Third Regiment, one of the most devoted friends of my life, who 
was shot through the upper part of the left lung- and died within 
twenty-four hours after we left him. I pushed into- his jacket, 
as I said good-bye, all the money I had, not more than six or 
seven dollars, except one silver ten-cent piece, and this also I 
parted with near Malvern Hill, as I shall relate. 

When the brigade reached the first bridge from the White Oak 
Swamp it was halted, and General Taylor was told by an aide of 
General Slocum's that we were to^ be the rear division of the 
anny, and that he must keep himself in touch with Division 
Headquarters wherever they were. This order caused me to ride 
a great many miles, for I had twO' horses and they were both 
kept pretty busy. As we reached the bridge-head (of course, 
it was a very small bridge), there was a very heavy cannonade 
apparently across our froiit, about half a mile away. I was sent 
to see what it was and found that the enemy had opened a bat- 
tery, or several batteries, on a pack of our wagons which had in 
some way become exposed to them. The hill country was covered 
thickly with trees and underbrush. There were very few clear- 
ings and scarcely any high ground, and it was very difficult to 
see what was going on. I could see, however, that there was a 
great panic among the teamsters and that the wagons were being- 
deserted and the wagoners riding off on the mules and horses 
of the teams. Presently our line of skirmishers appeared facing 
the southwest, and at that time the head of our column w^as fac- 
ing east, so the position was very much fixed. The skirmishers 
advanced towards the Rebel batteries very rapidly, and while I 
was looking on, the batteries withdrew. I went back and re- 



324 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

ported to General Taylor and drew a diagram of what I had seen 
and gave it to him, and told him I was utterly unable to under- 
stand the positions, but that these were facts. An aide of General 
Slocum's came up with orders to cross the bridge and turn sharply 
to the right, which would cause us to march about due south. 
This we did for probabh^ a mile or more and then came to a fairly- 
good bridge across White Oak Creek, and this the brigade 
crossed. After crossing, the creek here ran through a ravine the 
sides of which were quite precipitous, the road down to the bridge 
on one side and up on the other being very steep. An aide of 
General Slocum's told General Taylor that our brigade was now 
the rear of the army, that there was a piece of our artillery on 
the north side of the creek, that he expected General Taylor to 
look after it when the pickets and skirmishers were withdrawn. 
After a\\hile, probably half an hour, some of the pickets com- 
menced to- come across the bridge, and having nothing to do I 
thought I would go across the bridge and see where that piece of 
artillery was. I found it on top of the hill about five hundred 
yards from the bridge, in good position, commanding the road. 
Th& officer in charge was a lieutenant of Williston's battery whom 
I knew very well. He asked me if I had any orders for him; 
when I said no, he said he would like to have an order. 

So after a little while I went back to the brigade. The pickets 
and skirmishers were coming across the bridge and after a while 
a few of our cavalry came across, and after that the pioneers 
commenced to destroy the bridge by hewing through the timbers. 
We were lying down and resting on the top of the hill on the 
south side of the ravine when I saw the pioneers commence to 
cut the bridge to pieces. I said to General Taylor : "Why. that 
gT.in is over on the other side." He said, "How do you know it 
is?" I said, "Why I saw it half an hour ago." He used a very 
strong expression, pulling his moustache, and told me to tell our 
lieutenant to "get out of that as quick as the Lord would let him." 
So I ran down and stopped the men from cutting the bridge, ran 
up the other side and told the officer of the gun what the General 
had said. They were all ready and sitting on their horses but 
had had no order to move. The enemy's skirmishers who were 
coming on had fired several shots at them, and I must say that I 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 325 

never saw a gun go down a hill more rapidly than that did. To 
make a long story short, they got the gun over all right, and the 
■enemy's skirmishers shot at our pioneers while they were cutting 
the bridge. This was a curious, but, as it turned out, a very 
fortunate occurrence, for history shows that these 'were Stone- 
wall Jackson's men, and that Jackson with a heavy force was 
behind them. They reported that this bridge was held strongly 
wath artillery and infantry, and this report made such an impres- 
sion upon Jackson that he did not attempt tO' force the passage 
of the creek at that place. Why he did not cross the creek at a 
ford about a mile further up, of which he should have known, 
historians on both sides have never discovered; but that Jack- 
son's delay on that occasion, at that spot, and his counter-march 
g-ave McClellan the opportunity tO' withdraw his armies success- 
fully to Malvern Hill, is the opinion of all authorities whom I 
have read upon the subject. 

This was about two o'clock in the afternoon. It must be re- 
membered that this was when the days were long and also very 
hot. In half an hour we received orders tO' march and move south 
along the White Oak road t^owards Charles City cross-roads. 
After marching about two miles we were halted and the men 
were directed tO' rest along the east side of the road, which was 
well wooded on the east side, and on the west side were several 
quite large clearings. I am sure that General Taylor was not 
informed that we were occupying the line of battle, and I am 
sure that General Torbert, who was then colonel of the First 
Regiment, did not know this until sever?,! years after ; but it is 
a fact that we were a part of the line, and an exceedingly im- 
portant part. While we were lying down along the edge of the 
road an aide of General Slocum's rode by and told General Taylor 
that General Slocum's headquarters were in the field on the left 
or east side of the road about five hundred yards ahead of us, and 
that was all he said to him, for I heard it, and he then rode away. 
In about fifteen minutes the enemy opened with about sixty 
pieces of artillery, firing across the road in front of us and gradu- 
ally increasing the rapidity of the firing until it was the most 
tremendous cannonade I had ever heard. No enemy was visible 
to us an v where — the smoke of those guns came over the edge of 



326 FIRST XEIV JERSEY BRIGADE. 

the woods probably eight liunch'ed yards from the road, and a 
few hundred yards further along the right of the brigade. None 
of those shells came across where we were. While the cannonade 
was at its height, and of course such a cannonade as this is always 
the precursor of a charge of a line of battle, General Taylor said 
that he must have some orders from General Slocum's head- 
quarters, as he did not know what was wanted of him, so he 
said : "Grubb. ride to General Slocum's headquarters and ask 
him what he wants me to do." I had then one of the most terri- 
ble experiences that I ever had under artillery fire, and what is 
niiore, I had twO' of them, for I rode down that road across that 
line of firing, and I think I came nearer being killed by the flying 
pieces of fence rails and pieces of trees than by the shells. T 
found the oak tree, but I did not find General Slocum. and I 
came back to General Taylor, really very much bewildered by the 
terrible fire, and told him that General Slocum was not where 
he said. He merely said : "Go back and find him.'' And I 
had to do what I should have done, of course, at first. It 
must be remembered that I was only a little over nineteen years 
of age. I finallv did find General Slocum. more than half a mile 
from where I was told he would be, and a very heavy infantry 
fight going on in front of him. I told him what General Taylor 
had said. He did not even look at me, but simply said : "When 
I want him I will let him know." Which I had the pleasure of 
repeating to General Taylor, word for word. The last time I 
came down the road the cannonade had almost died out. and the 
infantry fighting about opposite to- where I had seen General 
Slocum was very severe. The corps engaged, it turned out. was 
the Third Corps, and the division on its left, which was. of 
course, next to our right because we were right in front in column 
and had been marching south when we halted, was General Phil. 
Kearny's division and commanded by General Phil. Kearny in 
l>erson. Now. it will l>e seen that our brigade being in column of 
four right in front, under the old tactics to have formed a line 
of Imttle the order would have been given front, and all the men 
would have turned to the left, which would have brought their 
backs to the enemy, as the enemy was on our right or west side. 
To have formed the line of battle we would have had to have 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 327 

faced by the rear rank, and while that did not make much (Ht- 
ference in merely forming the line, only so- far as the file closers 
were concerned, any subsequent maneuvers froni' that formation 
would become exceeding-ly complicated ; and I doubt whether any 
of the regiments of the First Brigade at that time could have 
successfully performed those maneuvers. These were some of 
the difficulties which the Upton's tactics subsequently adopted, 
aimed to obviate, and did so. 

General Kearny was the idol and hero of our brigade from 
the time we first saw him. He and all his staff were well known 
to every man and officer of us; and wdien Captain Moore, of 
Kearny's staff, came riding down the road waving his hat and 
calling out that General Kearny had lost a battery, and wanted 
the Jersey Brigade to help him' get it back, it seemed to me that 
the whole brigade heard himi, because I am sure that no orders 
were given to do that which occurred, and I had barely time to 
scramble on my horse and join in the rushing throng. General 
Taylor called toi me as I passed him : "Keep ahead of them and 
keep them from going too far. The enemy's line is in the woods 
right in front of our guns." Captain Moore, who- was talking 
to him. had probably told him this. The gims that had been 
captured were not more than three hundred yards from' us, a little 
advanced to the west of the road. I had noticed that they were 
not gone w^hen I passed along on my ride to General Slocum's, 
but the melee w^as so confused that I have not and ne\-er had a 
very clear idea of it. When I got to where the guns were the 
road was somewhat sunken, and, as the bank was so steep that I 
could not ride my horse up. I jumped off and scrambled up. 
There were a good many men among the guns before I got there, 
and the guns were being re-captured. But I do know that wdien 
I passed near a gun, a sergeant of the First Regiment, whose 
name was either Hollins or Hollister, had a Rebel prisoner by 
the neck. The man, though captured, had not surrendered, and 
as I passed him in carrying ont the order which I had, to stop 
the men from going beyond the guns, he ^thrust at our sergeant 
with his bayonet, missed him, and gave "Be.' a prod, the scar of 
which I carry to this day, though it did not disable me then or 
now, as it was on the inside of the thigh. I passed the order to 



328 



FIRST NEIV JERSEY BRIGADE. 



halt to several of the officers of our brigade. It is my impres- 
sion that there were lots of Kearny's men from his own division 
who were there almost instantly, but I do not think they were 
there when we first came up. 

I expected that we would receive a withering volley from the 
wood, which were only across a small field, m which the General 
had told me the enemy would be. For some blessed reason that 
vollev never came; and in a few minutes our men were recalled 
to the road and continued our march, and towards nightfall we 
went into line of battle along the side of the road, not more than 
twentv yards from the roadside. On the west side our skirm- 
ishers' were thrown out perhaps fifty yards more and we en- 
o-ao-ed with the Rebel skirmishers until dark. There was a good 
deal of artillery firing along the roads which intersected the road 
on which we were marching; but most of the shots went ^tkrough 
the tree tops and .>nlv a few of our men were mjured. The line 
we were holding, and which we held there from dark until twelve 
o'clock that night, was the gap in the line into which the enemy 
had charged and captured Major-General McCall and a large 
part of his division. 

Vbout nine o'clock that night I, having been constantly en- 
o-ao-ed unger General Tavlor's orders, in passing along our skir- 
mish line and getting reports from the officers, came up to 
where the General was. in a fence-corner, and found him utterly 
exhausted. Neither he nor I had had any nourishment, except 
a cup of cofi'ee for breakfast, since the night before, and that 
coffee had been given to us bv some of the men of our head- 
quarters. The wagon with all our rations was with the train 
and we did not see it for thirt>'-six hours afterwards. 

I said to him : "General, the brigade is very much mixed up 
and ought to be straightened out." He said : "Very well, sir go 
straighten it out." And so I went, but I had not gone more than 
twentv steps before I came to the conclusion that that was too 
much'of a contract for a young man of my age, so I went to 
Colonel Torbert. of the First Regiment, and stated the case, just 
what the General had said, and that I l>elieved that General Tay- 
lor was entirelv exhausted, and that the job was too big for me. 
He said: "Never min.l. sonny. T will fix it up for you." So we 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 329 

went together, and Colonel Torbert arranged the brigade that 
night. Some of the companies of the Second were mixed up 
with the Third, and some of the Third were mixed up with the 
First until we straightened them out. The men were lying 
down, some of them asleep, all of them cross, and it was no easy 
job to shift them around, but we finally got it done about eleven 
o'clock. I got back to my old colored man, James Huggs, who 
had a blanket for me in the same fence-corner where the General 
^vas, and I had about twO' hours' sound sleep. A little before 
one o'clock an aide of General Slocum's gave us marching orders. 
We found an entire brigade in the road ready to take our places, 
and passing through them to the road we continued our march 
in column, going somewhere, we did not know where, but headed, 
we all knew towards the James River on the way from Rich- 
mond. This last fact was heart-breaking to the men, for from 
the moment that we landed at West Point in May our faces had 
been towards the Rebel Capital. Although the battle of Gaines' 
Mills had been lost just the day after we were much nearer 
Richmond than Ave were now, and it was only the night of the 
battle of Charles City Cross-roads that our men realized" that we 
were retreating. We marched until about seven o'clock in the 
morning, and then the brigade was given about three hours' rest 
along the road. The General and I had some coffee which the 
men of the Provost Guard gave us, and I went down into my 
old Company C, of the Third Regiment, and got from Richard 
Poole, a private in that company, who was a painter in Burling- 
ton, three hardtack, and after he had given them to me, just one- 
half of all he had, I searched in my pocket and found the silver 
ten-cent piece, that was the last thing I had. Richard refused 
to accept this in exchange for the hardtack, but I finally pressed 
it upon him as a souvenir, and he showed it to me many times 
afterwards. x\bout twelve o'clock the brigade was assembled 
and marched along the road towards Malvern Hill, which we 
did not then know by that name or any other name, but it was a 
high and commanding position and we saw a great many of our 
batteries already in position upon it, and very readily came to 
the conclusion that our army was going to make a stand there. I 
think the Jersey Brigade was at that time in the rear guard, and 



330 FIRST XEIV JERSEY BRIGADE. 

the reason I think so is because after our brigade passed through 
the pickets which were at the edge of the hill nothing came be- 
hind us but some cavalry, and I have a good reason to remem- 
ber that. Within about half a mile of the hill on the left-hand 
side of the road was a fine farm, and near the fence were two 
fine cherry trees full of cherries. As we passed along, the Gen- 
eral and myself being in the rear of the brigade, he said: "I 
would like to have some of those very much." So I imme- 
diately said, "I will get you some." I got over the fence and 
climbed up a tree, dropping my sword and belt in the clover at 
the foot of the tree as I went up. I broke off a good many 
branches and proceeded to fill myself as quickly as possible. A 
scouting party of some of our cavalrv came by, going toward 
the hill, and an officer told the General that there were some rel^el 
scouts not very far behind him, upon which the General recalled 
me from the tree, and we proceeded to rejoin the brigade, which 
had gone up Alalvern Hill. When the brigade was halted and 
arranged upon the line which had been assigned to us near the 
top of the hill, I instantly noticed that 1 had not my sword and 
belt, and remembered that they were in the grass at the foot of 
the cherry tree, a half mile outside of our lines. I asked the 
General for permission to go back and get them and he pro- 
ceeded to read me a lecture on carelessness, saying, among other 
things, which I distinctlv remember and always have, that "A 
soldier should lose his head rather than his sword." So I went 
back to the picket line, and, very fortunately for me, I happened 
to know the captain very well who commanded a cavalr}' troop 
that was on picket on that spot, that is to say, near the base of 
the hill. He said to me that he had not seen any rebel scouts for 
half an hour, and that he would send two of his men with me 
to get the sword, which he did. and we all got back safely with- 
out seeing anybody, and the cavalrv also got a lot of cherries. 
I mention this incident so particularly, because it has a very par- 
ticular bearing upon a very extraordinary occurrence that hap- 
pened that night. There was an immense park of our wagons 
not very far from the hill the night before the battle of ]\Ialvern 
Hill, and while the brigade was on the hill in line of battle and 
sleeping behind the breastworks which they had made of logs and 



FIRST NEIV JERSFA' BRIGADE. 331 

€arth — a \ery flimsy sort of breastworks, but wbich by reason 
of the admirable position on the hill would have been very 
effective if assaulted — General Taylor received an order inform- 
ing him that the wagon trains of the army would be burnt that 
night, and he, accompanied by some others and my old servant, 
James Huggs, went down into the wagon park and took out a 
small quantity of their personal belongings, among other things 
a small handbag- of mine containing some underclothing, my 
mother's letters and a few other things of that kind. I did not 
go with them, as I was asleep at the root of a tree, and when the 
order came the General told my man he did not wish to disturb 
ine. I saw the printed order the next morning. It was in the 
same form and apparently the same type as that which we re- 
cei\'ed from the headquarters of the Army of the Potomac. Gen- 
eral Taylor returned to where he had placed his headquarters, 
under a great \\'hite pine tree, and my old servant, James Huggs, 
sat at the camp fire, for, although it had been a hot day, the 
nights were cool and the fire was lighted. Huggs says that 
about eleven o'clock, while the General was walking up and 
down between the tree and the fire, the orderly on duty came 
lip to the General and said that a messenger from General ]\Ic- 
Clellan's headquarters wanted to see him outside of the rifle-pit, 
and Huggs says that the General walked straight down that way, 
he, of course, not going with him. The next morning at grey 
daylight I awoke with the most intense gnawing hunger that I 
had ever experienced in my life. I had had nothing to eat but 
three hardtack, two cups of coffee and some cherries for two 
days, and I had ridden probably fifty miles in those two days. I 
had, moreover, been in a pretty severe fight and had an ugly 
wound in my leg, which hurt me every instant I sat in the isaddle. 
As soon as I sat up and rubbed the sleep out of my eyes I saw 
within about twenty-five yards of me a small pig rooting along 
on the ground ; I also saw right close to me a rifle of the 
orderly's leaning against the tree, it being the custom then for 
an orderly merely to have the ramrod in his hand while he was 
on duty. I knew there was a positive order against the discharge 
of any firearm without permission, but I was very hungry and 
there was the pig, so I took deliberate and careful aim. and killed 



332 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

that pig. Simultaneously with the crack of the rifle came the 
voice of General Taylor : "If you had missed him, sir, I would 
have put you under arrest." He was standing on the other side 
of the tree and had not lain down all night. The pig was cooked 
and eaten at once. The battle of Malvern Hill, which took place 
that day, was a magnificent pageant for those of our brigade 
who could see it — the coming down of a great mass of the enemy 
on the open plain to their utter destruction by the awful artillery 
fire. It was indeed a cruel and bloody sight, but after it was 
all over many of us felt that we were avenged for what had 
happened at Gaines' Mills. 

Those of us who can remember can even see to-day, in our 
mind's eye, knapsacks, hats and even bodies of men thrown up 
in the air by the explosions of our shells in the serried masses of 
the enemy. Our brigade was not engaged at all — some men 
were hit by spent shots and bits of shells — but I think our casual- 
ties were twenty-eight in all. During the day on more than one 
occasion my attention was called to the fact that General Taylor 
was not wearing his own sword, but the sword that he was wear- 
ing belonged to his son. Captain Taylor, w^ho had been partially 
disabled in the battle of Gaines' Mills. I noticed this because the 
two swords were not alike at all. and, moreover, because I had 
been the object of a lesson on carelessness the previous after- 
noon; but, of course, I did not say anything. 
. The morning after the battle of Malvern Hill our brigade 
marched into a great wheatfield at Brandon, near Harrison's 
Landing, and went into camp in the mud. As soon as the 
wagons were up and our tents were pitched, General Taylor 
directed me to mount my horse and accompany him. We went 
straight down to the James River and up along the river bank 
until we came to Berkley Mansion, which was General Mc- 
Clellan's headquarters. We had an orderl}- with us and both 
dismounted and left our horses with the orderly. I accompanied 
the General into the house and upstairs to the second floor. 
There were a number of wounded men in the house, lying on 
the floors, and the house was crowdetl with officers of all grades. 
General Taylor went into a room on the second floor, which I 
afterwards found was General McClellan's private headquarters. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE.- 333 

and in a few minutes came out and said to me : "I shall be 
here for some time, you may make yourself comfortable, and 
when I want you I will call you." So I went out of the house, 
for it was indeed a gruesome place. It was raining- hard, and 
after telling the orderly to spread an oilcloth blanket, which I 
had, over my horse, I looked around for a place to make myself 
comfortable, and found a chicken coop with some bright dry 
straw on the floor (there were no chickens in it), so' I lay down 
and went to sleep. In about an hour an orderly called me. 
The General was standing on the porch. Mounting our horses 
we rode off towards camp, I riding, of course, a horse's length 
behind the General, After going about two or three hundred 
yards he checked his horse and said : "Ride up alongside oi me." 
Which I did. He then said : "Did you notice that I did not 
have my sword when I went to General McClellan's head- 
quarters?" I said: "I did, sir; I noticed that you had neither 
sword nor belt." He said: "You see I have got them now." 
I said: "I do, sir." He said: "Well, I got them at General 
McClellan's headquarters." He said: "Last night while you 
were asleep an orderly told me that a messenger from General 
McClellan wanted to see me outside the rifle pit; I went there 
and two men on gray horses met me, one of whom was dis- 
mounted. This man presented a pistol at my head and instantly 
demanded my sword. Believing that I was captured and a 
prisoner there w^as nothing else for me to do but to give him 
my sword, which I did. Upon taking it he immediately mounted 
his horse and rode off." 

That is all that General Taylor ever told me on the subject, 
and it is all I know about it. (I may add that General Mc- 
Clellan's bodyguard always rode gray horses.) The fact is 
that this occurred, on my word as a gentleman and a soldier, 
exactly as I have stated it. 

As the brigade was marching in to the great wheatfield at 
Berkley, where the army was then commencing to encamp, sud- 
denly and without any idea that the enemy was in the vicinity, 
several shells came in and exploded among the wagon trains 
which were in the road alongside of which our men were march- 
ing. :My recollection is that not more than a dozen shells came. 

22 F B 



334 FIRST XEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

A regiment of Zouaves, which I think were the Fifty-fifth, of 
New York, went l)ack in (l()ul)le-(juick, and 1 understood captured 
two guns which the enemy had run up ck)se to our encampment 
without any supports whatever. The official records wdll show 
the circumstances of this. I remember that one of the shells 
exploded within a few^ feet of General Taylor's horse. 

Some incidents of interest occurred during our encampment 
at Malvern Hill. It was hot and uncomfortable and sorrowful, 
for there were many deaths, and bands playing the Dead ]\ larch 
were continually heard through the day — deaths from sickness, 
and many wounded. 

One night, a few nights after we encamped, we were roused 
at midnight by ai very lively cannonade from the opposite side 
of the river — our camp was about a quarter of a mile back from 
the river. The long roll was beaten throughout the army and 
the brigade turned out and stood in line. I do not think there 
were any casualties in the brigade, though there were some in 
our division from its shells. One man I remember as Dr. Oak- 
ley asked me to go and see a man in the field hospital who had 
his entire stomach carried awav by shells and li\-ed four clays 
afterwards. This w-ound is reported among the curiosities of the 
war. I saw the man twice, and, strange to say, he appeared to be 
suffering no pain except through hunger. 

A few days after our arrival at the camp, President Lincoln 
came down and reviewed the army. I presume by reason of the 
small space in which it was necessary to hold it, each brigade 
was drawn up on the northern side of its own camp in double 
columns, closed en masse, and the field officers were dismounted. 
My clothing, all except the one suit which I had during the 
seven days' battle, had been lost, and it happened that the only 
coat I had was a short jacket coming to the waist, and the 
only trousers I had were those which I had worn since the 
27th of June. Mv saddle had been hit twice with pieces of 
shell, once while I was in it and once when I was not. It was 
not torn nuich, but the screws were all loosened in it and one 
of them had worked up and from day to day had torn my 
trousers to such an extent that I can only say they were not fit 
to appear in review; so upon seeing my condition General 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 33r, 

Taylor excused me from going in the review and I sat in the 
door of my tent next tO' General Taylor's and within a few feet 
of it. President Lincoln rode a large bay horse and ^v•as dressed 
in a black frock-coat and a high silk hat and rode at the head 
of the cavalcade with General McClellan and his staff- of prob- 
ably a hundred officers immediately behind him. They passed 
down from east to west along the front of the army, the Presi- 
dent taking off his hat as he passed the colors of each brigade. 
When they arived in front of our brigade they halted and Gen- 
eral Taylor and the President came up to General Taylor's tent; 
no others were with them. The President dismounted and my 
servant, James Huggs, who is still living, brought camp stools 
and they sat down under the fly of General Taylor's tent; it 
seems that the President w^anted a drink of water, the day 
being very hot. James Huggs went to the spring a few^ yards 
away and got some water and the President drank heartily of 
it ; as he got up to go away he saw me standing in the position 
of a soldier, facing him at my tent door, and he said tO' General 
Taylor: "I suppose this is one of your staff: I hope that he has 
not been wounded?" General Taylor called me to- them and 
told him that I was Captain Grubb, on his staff, and told one or 
two' very pleasant things about me to the President which caused 
my cheeks to tingle, and then taking me by the shoulder, he 
said : "He would have been in the review but his clothes were 
not good enough to- allow him.'' President Lincoln put his 
hand on my shoulder. I shall never forget the kind expression 
of his magnificent eyes, as he looked me in the face and said : 
*'My son, I think your country can afford to give you a new pair 
of breeches." As these were the only words that President 
Lincoln ever said to me they impressed themselves very deeply 
on my mind. I have never forgotten them, and never shall. 

The rest of our stay at Harrison's Landing is filled with un- 
pleasant memories for me. I had contracted typhoid fever, 
although I did not know it, and tried to fight it off, and did so 
until the morning the brigade marched from Harrison's Land- 
ing, when in the wind and dust of that morning I mounted my 
brown stallion with great difficulty, fell over the other side of 
him into the dust, and the next thing I remember was waking 



336 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

up in New York harbor in the hospital ship, some ten days 
afterwards, with two Sisters of Mercy taking- care of me, and 
my old servant, James Huggs, standing at the foot of the bed. 
He had hired a colored man whom he found and helped him 
carry me down to the water's edge and succeeded in getting me 
on board the hospital ship "Spaulding'' in a little dug-out canoe, 
for the anchor of that ship had been raised and she was the last 
hospital ship to leave, filled with sick and wounded. 

I did not know that the brigade had been most dreadfully cut 
up and General Taylor killed at the Bull Run Bridge until after 
I had been sent from the hospital ship to my father's house in 
Burlington, where I found a letter from Colonel Torbert, com- 
manding the brigade, and asking me to serve on his staff. T 
joined the brigade just before the Crampton's Pass battle. 

We saw the battle of Antietam and were under a terrible 
artillery fire, but we were in the reserve, and I am sure that I 
need only say that it was the opinion of every man and officer 
in our brigade that if the Sixth Corps had been thrown for- 
ward that afternoon over the Burnside bridge after Burnside 
crossed it and placed across the right flank of the Confederate 
army, which were all there lying in the wheatfiekl (Opposite us, 
the result of that battle would ha\-e been far different from what 
it was. 

After Antietam we marched to Bakersville and encamped 
there, and were joined by the Twenty-third New Jersey Regi- 
ment, into which I was promoted as Major a few days l^efore 
the battle of Fredericksburg-. 



The Episode of the Surgeon of the Third Regiment. 

The surgeon of tlie Third New Jersey Regiment was ap- 
pointed by Governor Olden about ten days after the regiment 
arrived in Camp Olden. His name wag Lorenzo Louis Cox, a 
man about twenty-five years of age. He had a fine appearance, 
was well educated and an excellent surgeon. He was a grandson 
of Mr. Redmond Cox, of Philadelphia, a member of a well- 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 337 

known family. Redmond Cox was an intimate friend of my 
father, but my father had nothing whatever to do with the 
appointment of Dr. Cox, and did not know of it until after it was 
made. 

After the battle of Bull Run, and during the early autumn, the 
Third Regiment was engaged in erecting Fort Worth, one of the 
defences of Washington, about a mile west of Alexandria Semi- 
nary. Probably the uncovering of so much fresh earth which had 
to be done in erecting the Fort, which was quite a large one, 
caused an outbreak of malarial fever, most of it ordinary chills 
and fever. The sick call was sounded at half-past six every morn- 
ing and a very large proportion of the regiment filed up to Dr. 
Cox's tent and received a drink of whiskey and some quinine pills. 
Those of the Third Regiment who read this will probably 
remember two very ridiculous occurrences in this connection. 
Dr. Cox had an Irishman who was a private in one of the com- 
panies and who was his assistant. The Doctor had a barrel of 
whiskey in his tent from which he served the rations every morn- 
ing; he noticed that this whiskey became exhausted more rapidly 
than in his opinion it should ; he therefore poured into the whis- 
key-barrel a very large quantity of quinine, and the consequence 
was that the next morning his man Patrick was so drunk that he 
had to be taken down to the creek to be soused to bring him to, 
and he could not hear for two or three days. 

The other occurrence was that one morning on guard mount 
the adjutant, whose name was Fairliegh (an Englishman and the 
youngest son of Lord Fairliegh), appeared on his horse, which 
was a light bay and which had been striped with white paint on 
the ribs during the night and every hair on his tail shaved off. It 
transpired at the regimental court-martial that Dr. Cox's Patrick 
was very largely responsible for the damage to the adjutant's 
horse. During the months of August and September and also 
during- the whole winter of 1861-1862 the First New Jersey 
Brigade picketed in front of their lines, and during August ana 
September these pickets were not very far from and in front of 
Alexandria, not more than three miles at the utmost. The 
enemy's pickets were very close to ours and a number of skir- 
mishes along the Little River turnpike and the cornfields adjacent 



338 FIRST XEIV JERSEY BRIGADE. 

thereto occurred. Gradually our picket lines were advanced 
until, about the^latter part of September, we took in ]\Irs. Fitz- 
hugh's plantation and picketed almost up to Annandale. Dr. 
Cox and his assistant were out along- the picket lines almost 
every afternoon. Many of the men would be ailing and there 
was an occasional gun-shot, wound that would have to l)e looked 
after. Dr. Cox rode a very handsome cream-colored mule, and 
Patrick had an army horse. Patrick carried the knapsack of 
medical stores and surgical instruments strapped on his Ijack. 
One afternoon Dr. Cox, who had visited Mrs. Fitzhugh's planta- 
tion several times — at that time a little outside of our picket 
lines — started to go there again, when he was pounced upon by 
six of the Louden scouts. Confederate cavalry, and, although he 
tried to make his mule run away from them he could not do so 
and was captured. Patrick jumped off his horse and ran into the 
woods and succeeded in getting back into our lines with his 
medical knapsack. He reported Dr. Cox killed, as there had been 
several pistol shots tired ; Cox was not armed. On the evening 
of the next day Dr. Cox returned to the camp of the Third Regi- 
ment and reported the facts, about as I have related them here, 
to Colonel Taylor, and also to all of the officers of the regiment, 
wdio were his friends and who w^ere interested in the occurrence. 
He told us that he had been taken to Manassas Junction and 
had been for some time in the tent of General Joseph E. Johnston, 
the commander of the Rebel army that then faced us. . Every- 
body was glad of his release, which was of course because of his 
being a non-combatant. He resumed his duties and I do not 
remember that the incident was spoken of again in the regiment 
until the following very curious occurrence took place. 

When the army advanced on Manassas Junction in March, 
1862, the Third New Jersey Regiment was in the extreme front. 
The skirmishers of that regiment captured a train of cars loaded 
with provisions, and were also the first in the Rebel encampment 
at Manassas, Some of the memljers of the regiment entered 
General Joseph E. Johnston's tent, which had been evacuated so 
suddenly that a number of his papers and his jmilitar^- sash were 
left, which these men obtained. They naturally examined the 
papers and were surprised to find a report taken down by a mem- 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 339 

ber of General Johnston's staff of the conversation had with Dr. 
Cox of the Third New Jersey Vohinteers. This report stated 
that Dr. Cox had given General Johnston all the information 
regarding the troops at and around Alexandria that he desired 
and. that he (Cox) had particularly stated the number of men 
which General Montgomery commanded at Alexandria. For- 
tunately for Cox, the aide stated this number at 10,000, which 
was what Cox did say, and which was twice as many as Mont- 
gomery had. These papers were forwarded to Washington, 
whether through the headquarters of the regiment or not I do 
not know, but a few days after that a scjuad of the United States 
Cavalry came to the Third Regiment and the officer in command 
arrested Dr. Cox and took him to Washington, where he was 
immediately incarcerated in the old Capitol Prison. He re- 
mained there for a very considerable time, my impression is for 
several months. I wrote to my father in regard to this and he 
W'Cnt to Washington and had an interview with Edward M. 
Stanton, who was then Secretary of War. Mr. Stanton had been 
my father's counsel before the war, in Lancaster, and was an 
intimate friend of his. He had great trouble to get Mr. Stanton 
to take up the matter at all, but when he finally did. Cox was 
found to be innocent, but foolish. He returned to the regiment, 
but only for a few days. The men and a number of the officers 
would not receive him, and he resigned and took a position as 
surgeon on one of the Pacific Mail steamers, in which position he 
contracted the chargres fever and died. The occurrence w^as a 
very sad one. Cox was entirely innocent. He was a perfectly 
loyal and true man. He was one of the very best surgeons in 
the army at that time and almost certainly would have had a 
brilliant career. His military life was cut short, and probably 
his actual life also, from having talked too much. He told me 
himself, that in the interview^ in General Johnston's tent he had 
purposely given him all the false information that he could thmk 
of, and that he had purposely stated Montgomery's troops to be 
twice their actual strength. 

The correspondence in regard to this will be found in the 
official record, see general index, page 211, Lewis L. Cox 13845. 



340 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

I have read the correspondence, but the vohime in which it 
is, I do not now find in my collection. 

I was First Lieutenant of Company D, Third Xew Jersey Vol- 
unteers, and Aide-de-Camp on the Staff of Brigadier-General 
George W. Taylor, First New Jersey Brigade, during this 
campaign, 

E. BuRD Grubb. 



APPENDICES. 



(341) 



Appendix A. 



Brigadier-General George William Taylor. 

Brigadier-General George W. Taylor, who gave his life in 
defense of his country, was a native of Hunterdon county. New 
Jersey, and was born near the village of Clinton, in 1808. He 
was the third son of Archibald Stewart and Anna Bray Taylor. 

He early exhibited a predilection for military pursuits, and 
after spending two years at Rutgers College, New Brunswick, 
N. J., his father sent him to the celebrated military school of 
Colonel Alden Partridge, in Connecticut, which at that time had 
much the reputation that afterwards attached to West Point. 
He remained a cadet there until the school was transferred to 
Norwich, Vermont, where he graduated in 1827. 

On November ist of this year he entered the navy as a mid- 
shipman, and made a cruise up the Mediterranean on board the 
sloop-of-war ''Fairfield.'' under command of Captain Foxhall A. 
Parker. On return of the ship to the United States he tendered 
his resignation, which was accepted December 13th, 1831. After 
this he engag^ed in mercantile pursuits. When the war with 
Mexico was declared, he ofifered his services to the government 
and received a lieutenant's commission in the Eighth United 
States Infantry, March 8th, 1847. 

April 9th, 1847, ^16 ^'^'^s transferred to the Tenth Infantry and 
promoted captain of same regiment September 13th, 1847. In 
1848, after the close of the war, the Tenth Infantry Avas mus- 
tered out of the service and Captain Taylor went to California, 
where he remained three years. He was a Whig in his political 
opinions before the dissolution of that party, and subsequently 
became an uncompromising Republican. To the President's call 
for troops made May 3d, 1861, Captain Taylor w^as among the 
first to respond. He was offered the colonelcy of the Third 

(343) 



344 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

New Jersey Regiment of Infantry. Unhesitatingly accepting the 
commission, he at once addressed himself to the task of reduc- 
ing his new levies into a state of discipline, and on the 8th of 
June, 1 86 1, accompanied them to Washington, where with the 
rest of the New Jersey troops they were ordered to take station 
near Fairfax Seminary, Virginia. 

On the 2 1 St of July he assisted with the other regiments in 
rendering efficient services in arresting the flight and restoring 
order after the battle of Bull Run. Upon reorganization of the 
Army of the Potomac, the First, Second, Third and Fourth Regi- 
ments were brigaded and placed under the command of General 
Phil. Kearny and assigned to Franklin's division. The promo- 
tion of General Kearny left Colonel Taylor, being the senior 
officer, in command of the brigade. On June loth, 1862, he re- 
ceived his commission as Brigadier-General. His brigade formed 
a part of the Army of the Potomac under General McClellan, 
and was engaged in the series of encounters that took place on 
the Peninsula, particularly those of West Point, Gaines' Mills, 
White Oak Swamp and Malvern Hill, where it distinguished 
itself for its courage and coolness. 

The last fight of the subject of our sketch was on the plains 
of Manassas, August 27th, 1862, where he encountered the 
enemy in superior force, and, while disputing the passage of 
Bull Run bridge, received a fatal wound. He was removed to 
the Mansion House Hospital, Alexandria, Va., where he died 
September ist, 1862, in the fifty-fourth year of his age. As a 
soldier, General Taylor's prominent characteristics were courage, 
intelligence and inflexible devotion to duty. As a disciplinarian 
he was stern almost to harshness. In i>ersonal manner he was 
reserved, seldom unbending even when among his intimates, but 
under all the hard crust throbbed a nature at once noble — a 
nature which scorned injustice, and held unyieldingly to convic- 
tions honestlv and deliberatelv formed. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 345 



Appendix B. 



The sketch of the First Regiment of New Jersey, which ap- 
pears below, was written by Lieutenant Thomas T. Tillou, of 
Elizabeth, and appeared in the Jonrnal, as follows : 

"While stationed at Vienna, Va., we received orders from 
General McDowell to advance on Bull Run. We started imme- 
diately for this point on a forced march, and arrived on the field 
of battle the afternoon of the first day's fight, and remained 
there until midnight before we retreated. The road between 
Vienna and Bull Run, where the stampede took place, was im- 
passable owing to the wagon-trains and all conceivable equipage 
belonging to the same blocked the road. The fight on the battle- 
field was a frightful one to behold — the dying, the wounded and 
the dead. I shall always remember them, and the Old Stone 
Church at Centreville was filled with wounded and those who 
died. Each pew and aisle had many dear ones in the last throes 
of death pleading for help. We found in that church one young- 
man who hailed from Massachusetts, and had worked in a drug 
store, trying to aid and comfort the wounded. Our surgeon, 
Taylor, of the First New Jersey Regiment, we left to care for 
and relieve their wants to the best of his ability. When the rebels 
advanced after our retreat they took possession of the church 
and denied Surgeon Taylor the right to assist and relieve the 
wounded. They took away from him all of his instruments and 
tools, and also stripped him of his coat, vest, hat and his shoes, 
and made him walk a number of miles barefooted with the 
bayonets prodding him at every stop to rest. This I got from 
Surgeon Taylor when he was exchanged as a prisoner of war. 
He never recovered his health and from the treatment at the 
hands of the rebels. He was very much emaciated until he 
passed the great divide. 

"The First Regiment of New Jersey was under the command 
of Colonel Montgomery, and was the last troop that left Bull 



34(3 ' FIRST XEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

Run battlefield, and should have been credited in history with cov- 
ering this retreat. We retreated towards Fairfax Court House, 
and from there had a volley fired into us by the Union forces 
from Fairfax Court House, thinking- we were the rebels advanc- 
ing on them. Wt finally reached Arlington Heights next day, and 
were put in charge of the long bridge, when an order came from 
Washington for us to throw^ out a picket line. My company, A, 
was ordered out to guard Vienna Railroad, and after reaching 
there was sent out at night to the chaparrals to lay in wait for 
the enemy, but before they made their appearance the grand 
rounds came to my outpost and requested me to get ten volun- 
teers of my company and go out on a scout for the rebels and to 
find and ascertain their positipn. I got my company in line, and 
stated the duty w-hich we were expected to perform. 'T want ten 
men to accompany me on this trip. Those who are willing to 
go with me can step three paces to the front.' I said. The first 
man without a murmur that stepped out was Chauncey Clum. 
Others followed until I got the number needed. 

"The first halt was made on the road that leads to Bailey's 
Crossroads. We thought, though quite dark, we could see a 
gun or rifle standing against a tree out in the field. I crawled 
very cautiously out and found the guard asleep. I took the rifle 
and then awoke the Union sentinel, who was German. He was 
very much alarmed and yelled at the top of his voice. There 
was a small building on the left of us. and here his captain and 
other guards came rushing out, firing off their rifles in all direc- 
tions. I turned this sentinel over to his captain, then started for 
the Crossroads. We decided, after reaching there, to take the 
left-hand road up towards Munson's Hill. I left four guards at 
the crump house prior to reaching the Crossroads to watch what 
was considered a bad and treacherous position. We nearly 
reached the crest of Munson's Hill, when from behind an en- 
trenchment came a volley from the rebels into our ranks. We 
returned the fire and retreated in good order. I made a sketch 
of the roads, with diagram, stating the facts in my report after 
reaching camp. 

"The following day I was sent out with my company to hold 
the enemy in check, and w^e took our positions at the foot of the 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 347 

hill at the Crossroads, and while Lieutenant Martin and myself 
M^ere in the log cabin partaking of hoecake and honey, some of 
our company found a portion of a rackrigging while we were in 
the cabin. They took the two rear wheels and a short log 
attached and placed it in the center of the road, then put a long- 
stovepipe on the center of it and pointed it up toward the rebel 
earthworks. 

"It was not long before the enemy discovered, as they thought, 
a cannon, which they tried to dismount. They opened fire, and 
the first ball that came down our way struck the corner of the 
log cabin and lodged' in the woods directly opposite. The ball 
was found and sent on to Elizabeth and put in charge of the 
Blhaheth Journal. What became of it I am at a loss at present 
to answer . 

''After the first battle of Bull Run there was considerable feel- 
ing regarding who should command the First New Jersey Bri- 
gade, and Governor Olden, knowing these facts, had to act very 
carefully in appointing a general to command the First New 
Jersey Brigade. General Phil Kearny was suggested, and was 
looked upon as the ideal one to choose for that ofiice. Then 
Colonel Montgomery was made provost-general of Alexandria, 
Va. This seemed to satisfy and straighten out the feeling which 
existed at that time. 

"We were then ordered to report to General Kearny's head- 
quarters to form the First Brigade of New Jersey, which com- 
posed the First, Second and Third Regiments. This was the 
original First Brigade of three regiments. 

"The First Regiment started for his headquarters to report. 
Being a very warm day, the men were permitted to march at will. 
They were not making a very soldier-like appearance when 
they came to Kearny's headquarters, which was surrounded by a 
beautiful peach orchard. George Forsyth, a member of Company 
A, espied the peach orchard, and made a break for it. That 
move was enough, as all the men then broke ranks and got in the 
trees, and when Kearny came out on the porch and saw them, 
the words which he expressed cannot be found printed in any 
vocabulary or dictionary, and he said many times afterwards, 
'Give me the Jersey Brigade, and say to them, "Boys, a peach 



348 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

orchard lies on the other side of Richmond," ' and he would 
have no trouble to march through the ideal spot of the Confed- 
eracy. 

"I very often think of the order he sent to Company A to have 
twelve men selected and sent to his headquarters to do provost 
guard duty while he had other commissioned officers as guests to 
dine with him. 

"I had the pleasure of picking out my best men for this pur- 
pose, and prided myself on the show they would make. I was 
very much attached to all of the men — loved and honored each 
one alike. They were the pride of my heart, and I had reasons 
to believe it was reciprocated. I got them ready and sent them 
with great expectations that the general would forward me words 
of thanks, but, to my consternation, amazement and surprise, 
orders came for me to appear before him at once. 

"This was the trouble: After the men arrived there one of 
them conceived this idea and carried it out to perfection. The 
tables were all set for the general and his guests. My men took 
the advantage of the cooks and gagged them. They then sat 
down and partook of the best the land could afford, and after 
eating their fill, arose, and, with the rifles pointed at the cooks, 
directed them to fix things up quick. The cooks did not quite 
finish their labors before the general got uneasy and made his 
way to the festal board. The rest you can imagine. Things 
looked blue for awhile. The general tried to find out who the 
originator of the plot was, but each man stood firm." 



C. A. Pettie's (Private Company G, First Regiment, New Jer- 
sey Volunteers) Account of liis Experience at 
Crampton's Pass, Md. 

At Crampton's Pass, the order to "right face, forward march," 
as I understood it, meant to go straight up the mountain, believ- 
ing all the boys were on the way up. Thinking myself only a 
little in advance, about half way up a Johnnie aimed at me and 
I at him. He fell. Jake Dehart was about twenty paces to my 
left. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. P,40 

A large fallen tree was right in front c.f me. I climbed ii. and 
to my surprise saw two Johnnies behind it. 1 called on them to 
surrender, disarmed them, looked back expecting to find the boys 
close up, but could see no one in my rear. The two prisoners at 
that moment also discovered my position and drew their bayonets 
and resisted me. Having the advantage of them, being on the 
fallen tree and bayonet fixed on my gun, inverted same and told 
them if they did not throw away their bayonets I would stab 
them. Made them crawl over the fallen tree and sfo on in 
advance of me dowai the mountain, at the foot of which was a 
small stone wall, behind wdiich I found our boys. Continued on 
with the tw'o grays until we met one of General Torbert's aides, 
who' ordered me to a clump of very tall trees and there report, 
where I was ordered to keep guard over the grays. Later on, 
more prisoners were brought in. Let me state here that high up 
in one of those trees three large turkeys roosted all night. 



C. A. Pettie's (Color Sergeant First Regiment New Jersey 

Volunteers) Account of Charge on June 7th, 1864, 

at Cold Harbor. 

At about 9 A. M., an aide from some general at headquarters 
came rushing over and cried "Charge." Some of the boys said 
our time has expired, others said it was not a proper order, not 
being given to us by our commander. A few of us, however, 
jumped over the little earthwork and charged. I had gone about 
half the distance to the rebel line and found myself alone. Just 
then a charge of canister struck the earth a short distance in 
front of me. throwing the coarse gravel in my face and eyes, 
blinding me for probably two hours or more. I fell on my face, 
knoAving that every move could be seen by the rebels, and lay 
quiet. When I regained my sight and noticed the condition of 
the soil (coarse gravel which had been ploughed)-, I began 
burrowing myself in the soil by slowly pushing the earth away 
from my head and body. When sufficiently protected, took my 
tin plate, using it as a shovel, and finally had quite a good pro- 
tection from the shots which were coming in both directions. I 

23 F B 



350 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

had to wait for an opportune moment to rush back to our Hne, 
expecting darkness to cause a hill in the firing. I intended, if 
the rebels charged, to take my chance and fly for our line. 
Shortly after dark a charge was made by a brigade of Union 
troops on the left, which was repulsed. Then the entire rebel 
line fired rapidly, making a continued whiz of bullets over my 
head. The firing gradually ceased, and I made a run for our 
line at such speed that I fell headlong, colors and all, inside the 
earthworks, on top of the boys I had left early in the morning. 
The next morning we left the front to return to Trenton to be 
mustered out of service. 

As to the movement of the brigade at the Wilderness, the 
right was flanked and the crush came upon us from the brigade 
on our right. I went obliquely to the left, and when somewhat 
free from the jam, called for support to the colors. About one 
thousand men from the different regiments of the division rallied 
and formed regimental front, and remained there for two or 
three hours. Sometime after dark a commissioned officer came 
to me and asked me who was in charge. I told him no one. 



: Hospital Steamer Western ^Metropolis. 

This is to certify that Pierson M. Walton, First Sergeant, 
Co. H, 1st New Jersey Vols., was taken from a raft in the Poto- 
mac off Belle Plain. Va., on Monday evening, 30th instant, and 
placed on board this steamer. He reports himself as wounded 
in the wilderness, and that he has since escaped from the rebels 
WMth whom he was a prisoner. 

W. M. HoDSOX, 
Ace' r Ass' t Serg. U. S. A. 
May 31, 1864. 



Copy of Letter, June 2, 1864. 

U. S. A. Fairfax Semixary, Va. 
Dear Parents — I take this opportunity of writing a few lines 
to let you know how I am getting along and A\here I have been. 



FIRST NEW JBRSBY BRIGADE. 351 

On the 4th of May, we broke camp and crossed the Rapidan 
River at Germania Ford, and took the road to the Wilderness. 
On the 5th our regiment engaged the enem}^ nearly all day with 
a loss of ten officers, and no men. We were still under fire on 
the 6th until nearly night. 

When the enemy made a charge on our right flank, and I was 
shot through the loins, the ball entering above the left hip, and 
passing around the back bone coming out above the right hip, 
making nothing but a flesh wound. 

The enemy held the ground when I fell and I was taken to a 
field hospital one mile from Robison tavern on the road to Fred- 
ericksburg and for 3 or 4 days was very weak from loss of blood, 
but after that I gained strength very fast. 

As soon as we became able to walk we were sent to Orange 
C. H., a distance of 20^ miles, and thence south by way of Lynch- 
burg ; on the 29th there was a squad sent, and the Doctor wanted 
me to go. I put on a long face and was let off with the under- 
standing that I must go next time. I then determined to make 
my escape so about 9 o'clock on the morning of the 29th I left 
the hospital going toward Fredericksburg and passing the rebel 
pickets near Chancellorsville by crawling between them in a sort 
of a gulley. 

W^hen I struck the road about two miles below Chancellors- 
ville on the road to Fredericksburg, I then found that the rebel 
scouts were in the town, and our force had vacated. Then I 
left the road striking the Rappahanock River four miles above 
Banks Ford. 

I made a raft by lashing two small logs together with a piece 
of grape vine, crossing the river in safety and skirting the river 
bank down to the Ford, and halting for the night. 

In the morning, after dressing my wound, I started for Bell 
Plains Landing on the Potomac, getting my breakfast with a 
family by the name of Blake. After crossing the railroad the 
country was much infested with Rebel scouts. I managed to 
escape all but one and he, being a gentleman, after examining my 
wound, bade me Godspeed, and told me to keep out of the way 
of the rest of the Scouts, which advice I followed, and arrived 
at the river about 2 P. M. and tried to make signals to attract 
the attention of some passing vessel. 



352 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

Failing in this, and seeing the scouts on the distant hills, I c<:)n- 
strticted a raft of plank and crossed the mouth of the Potomac 
creek to Windmill Point and skirting the river banks until I 
reached Aquia Creek Landing, when I spent some time in trying 
to attract the notice of the passing vessels, but in vain, as the 
ri^•er was four miles wide at this point. There being a large gang 
plank on the wharf, such as is used in steamers, I determined to 
launch this and cross the river or get to the channel and get 
picked up by some vessel. After working over one hour, I got 
my raft afloat, and seeing the scouts along the edge of the roads 
I shoved off, with a piece of board for an oar, at about 6. P. M., 
and had made nearlv the Maryland shore when I heard the puf- 
fing of a steamer, and I made signals and stood for the channel. 
As soon as she came up to me she hove to and lo\A-ered a boat 
and took me aboard, where, when I told my tale, some could 
hardly believe me, but some of our men being on board soon 
proved my identity and where I was missing. 

The doctor soon examined my wound and dressed it, and 
handed me in charge of the steward, w'ho soon showed me some 
water to have a wash and what w^as equally agreeable a good 
drink of old brandv and a good meal included, something I had 
not enjoyed for some time, but the excitement that had kept me 
up was fast dying out and I was fast becoming helpless, but a 
good night's rest soon refreshed me and in the morning we made 
Alexandria, it being a hospital steamer. I was sent to this hospi- 
tal and as soon as I get over mv severe trip I will be north. 

'Give my love to all the family. 

From }-our son, 

P. :\I. Walton. 




COLONEL TICKKK. 

Second Rc-viinioiit, Xew .Krscy Volunteers. 

Killed :a Battle of (".aines" .Mills. 



FIRST NEIV JERSEY BRIGADE. 353 

Appendix C. 



The First, Second and Third Regiments. 

THREE-YEAR MEN AT CAMP OLDEN. 

I enlisted as private for three years in a Burling-ton company, 
known as the Knowlton Rifles, in May, 1861. This company, it 
was originally intended, should be a part of the fotn" regiments 
that went out first from New Jersey, and served three months 
around Washington, their service and their presence there prob- 
ably being, at that juncture, of more importance than they ever 
received credit for. Our company was too late to get in the three- 
months men, and when it was announced in the little upper room 
over a beer saloon at the corner of Broad and Main streets, Bur- 
lington — which room and saloon are still there — that, if we 
wanted tO' gO' we would have tO' enlist for three years instead of 
three months, some of the men went away, but not many, and, 
in a short time the company was filled to^ loi men and officers. 
We enlisted under the call of President Lincoln on the 3d of 
May, 1 861, which called for thirty-nine regiments of infantry and 
one of cavalry, to serve for three years or during the war, and 
three of these thirty-nine regiments, on the 17th of the month of 
May, were requisitioned from New Jersey. We were mustered 
into the United States service in the Capitol at Trenton, by A. 
T. A. ToTbert, then lieutenant in the Fifth United States In- 
fantry. Eighteen months afterwards he was colonel of the First 
Regiment and commanding our brigade at Crampton's Pass and 
Fredericksburg, and was later on chief of cavalry under Sheridan. 
He was one of the dashing cavalry oI"ficers of the war. He was 
shipwrecked and drowned many years after the war, while taking 
a message from General Grant to the President of Mexico. 

I shall never forget the appearance of Camp Olden as the 
ragged members of Company C, of which I was one, marched 
into it in the afternoon. All the men had their worst clothes on, 
because they knew they would get uniforms, and they did not 
know that they would get their clothes returned to them, and I 
do not think they ever did. The First and Second Regiments 
were on the o-round before us, and as we came in they were hold- 



354 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

ing, or attempting to hold, a dress parade. Their unifonns had 
not been issued to them and their rags were fluttering in the 
breeze just as ours were. It was not what might be called an 
encouraging sight, and I know that some of the officers — my 
cousin Penrose Buckley who was first lieutenant of our company, 
and who had been persuaded to leave the Washington Grays in 
Philadelphia, of which he was a member, to com'e over and take 
a position in our company — were very much downcast indeed. 
However, our tents had been pitched and some straw thrown in 
them and we slept our first night under the stars, not unhappily. 
Alas! how many there were of those brave and jolly good fel- 
lows who were doomed never to see their native State again 
after they left it. 

The routine of drill and discipline commenced the next morn- 
ing. Our colonel, George W. Taylor, afterwards Brigadier- 
General commanding the Brigade, who was killed at the second 
battle of Bull Run, was a very strict disciplinarian, though not 
a very good drill-master. Our Major, M. W. Collet, afterwards 
colonel of the First Regiment, and who was killed at Salem 
Church, was a West Pointer and one of the best drill-masters I 
ever knew. The routine was not monotonous, I think we all 
found it very interesting, and after awhile the boys began to 
feel their cats, and I think there are many still alive who will 
remember well what was called the "Bread Riot." Exactly what 
caused this I do not know, for we were certainly w^ell taken care 
of in the way of food, although at that time very few knew how 
to properly prepare it; but one morning, without any warning 
at all, as the bakers' wagons — of which there were several, who 
brought the bread into the camps — were going through the dif- 
ferent camps, a sudden rush was made upon them and the con- 
tents of every wagon was taken out and scattered upon the 
ground. The guards of the various regiments appeared in 
double-quick time. I never knew whether the bread was picked 
up or not, and the crowd, which was in entirely good huni'or, 
dispersed at once. I never knew what the cause of this was. or 
w'hat the result of it was. The newspapers paraded it as "A 
Dangerous and Mutinous Bread Riot at Camp Olden," but it 
certainly was not. £ Burd Grubb, 

2d Lieut. Co. C, 3d N. J. Vol. in 186 1. 



FIRST XEIV JERSEY BRIGADE. ■ 355 



Appendix D. 



An Account of the Movements of the Third Regiment during 
the Advance to Manassas in March, 1862. 

Left Fort Worth, Friday, March 7th, aljout 4:00 P. ^L, 
marched to Burk's Station, on the Orange and Alexandria Rail- 
road. On March 8th, marched to a point one mile east of Fair- 
fax Station and camped. On March 9th, left camp on a recon- 
naissance with about twenty (20) members of Companies A and 
H of the First New York Cavalry. Returned to Fairfax Station 
at about noon. 

A short time after, Colonel George A\'. Taylor received order 
from General Kearny to take the companies not on picket and 
march to Sangster Station. About a half mile this side of 
Sangster the enemy appeared. They fell back as Ave advanced 
until we reached Sangster. We were there formed in line of 
battle on the top of a hill to the right of the railroad. There were 
with us at this time Lieutenant Hiddin, one corporal and sixteen 
(16) men of the cavalry. The cavalry advanced into the open 
field and charged the enemy, who were in greatly superior num- 
bers, and drove them into rapid retreat, leaving their arms, knap- 
sacks, blankets and camp equipage. Lieutenant Hiddin was 
killed at the first fire. The corporal took command and returned 
with thirteen prisoners, one lieutenant and one non-commissioned 
officer of the First Maryland Rebel Regiment. 

On March loth, eight companies of the Third Regiment 
marched to Union Mills and camped for the night. On March 
nth, at 4:00 A. M., marched for Bull's Run, where we found 
the bridge partly burned. After repairs had been made, started 
on a rapid march for Manassas Junction, where we arrived at 
9 :30 A. M. Company B, under command of Captain Gibson, as 
skirmishers, was the first to enter the works of the enemy. The 
regimental flag was hoisted on the flag-staff of one of their 



3-:.0 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

works. We found the place deserted, except for a few citizens, 
who had two or three wagons loading the spoils left by the rebels. 

General Kearny arrived just as the flag was being pulled to 
the top of the pole, and complimented the officers and men of the 
Third Regiment on having the honor of hoisting the American 
flag upon the notorious stronghold of the rebels. The same dav 
the reg'iment marched to Centreville and arrived at sundown. 

On March T2th. returned to Fairfax Station, then to Fairfax 
Court House, where we remained until the 14th. At 6:00 P. M. 
we fell in and marched to our old camp at Fort Worth. While 
we laid at Fairfax Court House, General Kearny was offered 
the command of a division, but refused it because he could not 
take the Jersey Brigade with him. General Franklin objected 
to the proposition and Kearny remained with the Brigade. 

When the Brigade was in Camp Seminary, Va., the)- were 
inspected by General Kearny in person. He would make his 
rounds on Sunday mornings, inspecting one regiment each week. 

On one occasion, while inspecting Company D. of the Third 
Regiment, the General came to a man with a very dirty and 
ragged pair of pants. "You are a pretty looking soldier," said 
the General. "You would not make good breastworks. You 
are too dirty. Is that the best pair of pants you have?" The 
man replied that he had a new pair, but some one had stolen 
them. "A h of a soldier that cannot steal a pair of pants." 

At the next inspection of the Third Regiment, Kearny came 
to tb.is man. who had a bright new pair of officers' pants on. The 
general looked him over, front and rear, then looking him in 

the eye he said, "Where in the h ■ did you get th^m pants?" 

'T stole them," he replied. "W'hy you , they are my 

pants, my best pants." "You are the man that told me to steal 
a pair," replied the soldier. "Not mine, not mine," said the 
general, and the incident closed. 

There was a hedge around brigade headquarters. This man 
had watched and saw Kearny's servant put his uniform out on a 
hedge to air. Going over to headquarters it was easy to go on 
the side away from the house, take the pants, roll them up, go to 
camp, take the stripes off the side, and put them away for the 
next inspection. 

John W. Bodine. 



FIRST NEW JBRSEY BRIGADE. 357 

Report of Colonel Henry W. Brown, Third New Jersey Infantry, 
Commanding First Brigade. 

Headquarters First Brigade, 

First Division, Sixth Arr^^y Corps,, 

Ma}' 4th, 1863. 

Sir: I have the honor to report that in obedience to orders, 
on April 28th, I marched the First Brigade from camp near 
White Oak Church to a point near to that at which the Left 
Grand Division crossed the Rappahannock in December last, and 
there bivouacked. 

At 5 A. M. on the 29th, crossed the river with my brigade in 
pontoon boats, and remained on the south bank, taking my tour 
of picket duty without advancing until Sunday, May 3d, when, 
at daylight, I sent the Fifteenth Regiment New Jersey Volun- 
teers, in accordance with orders received, to take post at a point 
where the Richmond and Fredericksburg road crosses the ravine, 
and act as rear guard to the division. At 6 A. M. I was ordered 
to post my brigade in this road, on the left of tlie division line, 
toward the burnt house, and we remained there under a very hot 
shell fire from a battery posted in front of my position at about 
800 yards distant, and from which I lost some men in the Fif- 
teenth and Twenty-third Regiments New Jersey Volunteers. 
I had also some casualties from the fire of the enemy's pickets, to 
which I did not reply. At 11 A. M. I was ordered to move 
rapidly tO' my right along the road toward Fredericksburg, 
leaving my picket line out and one battalion (the Fifteenth) in 
support. We marched through the town and up the Plank 
road toward Chancellorsville, and halted for five minutes on the 
south side of the heights, which had been gallantly carried at the 
point of the bayonet by Newton's division in the morning. 

We were then in the advance, and I foniied my brigade: six 
companies of the Second, under Colonel Buck, as skirmishers on 
either side of the road, the First and Third, under Colonel Collet, 
on the right of the road, in line of battle, and the Twenty-third, 
under Colonel Grubb, on the left, at about 200 yards in rear of 
the line of skirmishers, and so moved about half a mile, when 
we were met by a fire of shell from a battery in position on the 



358 FIRST NEIV JERSEY BRIGADE. 

crest of a hill at about 300 yards distant. Our skirmishers still 
advanced gallantly, and by their fire drove the enemy to a pre- 
cipitate retreat, our batteries, which had now come into position, 
contributing- to this result. Our advance continued about one 
and one-half miles farther, the enemy still retreating and fight- 
ing, using their batteries at every advantageous point. I should 
here state that I ordered out two companies of the Third Regi- 
Ment as skirmishers, finding that the detachment of the Second 
was not sufficient to cover my front and flanks. When we 
arrived at this point, we found the enemy in strong position, and 
also that he had received re-enforcements. I here received orders 
to send in a regiment to clear some woods on my right flank, and, 
as the advance seemed to be checked, I went with the Third 
Regiment, commanded by Major Stickney, which I ordered on 
this duty. I was accompanied by Captain H. P. Cook, Assistant 
Inspector-General of the Brigade, Lieutenant Abeel. aide-de- 
camp, and Adjutant Fairly, of the Third Regiment, whom I 
had attached to my staff as acting aide. 

The regiment advanced gallantly, but was met by an over- 
whelming fire from the enemy, concealed in some trenches and 
behind a fence, to which it replied with vigor. The Fifteenth 
Regiment had now come up, and I directed it to advance to the 
support of the Third Regiment. It came into its position in 
beautiful order, and I cannot speak too highly of the manner in 
which this regiment was fought by its gallant commander. Col- 
onel Penrose. He relieved the Third, almost worn out b}' its 
long march and fight, and held the enemy in check, who, having 
had fresh troops come up, were preparing to attack both in front 
and on our right flank. After a few minutes' rest, and having 
re-formed his regiment, slightly disordered by the march through 
the thick wood and undergrowth, in line of battle. Major Stick- 
ney gallantly led it (the Third) in again to the support of the 
Fifteenth, and so we held the;m until about 6:30 P. M., when, 
having been severely wounded, I was carried to the rear. 

The First Regiment, under Colonel Collet, moved forward into 
the woods on the left of the Third, a few minutes after its advance, 
and was nobly fought by its commanding officer, whose death, at 
the head of his command, I have to deplore. The Twenty-third 



FIRST NEW JERSEV BRIGADE. 359 

advanced on the left of the road about the same time with the 
First, under Colonel Grubb, and, although a nine-months' regi- 
ment, its heavy loss shows how obstinately it was fought by its 
brave young commander. I cannot distinguish between my offi- 
cers without injustice, yet my thanks are eminently due to the 
commanding officers of regiments, Colonels Collet, Buck, Pen- 
rose, and Grubb, and Major Stickney, for their coolness and 
intrepidity, as also the judgment with which they fought their 
respective commands. Of the members of the staff, including 
Lieutenant [David] Fairly, of the Third Regiment, 1 can only say 
that they fully sustained their reputations won on other fields, 
and I am glad to say that they have all escaped uninjured, ex- 
cepting Captain H. P. Cook, w^ho was wounded severely in the 
neck. 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient ser- 
vant, 

H. W. Brown, 
Colonel Third Nezu Jersey Volunteer Infantry, 

Commanding Brigade. 

Capt. A. K. Parsons, A. A. G., First Division. 



Death of John Ellis, of Company li. Third Regiment. 

On July 1 6th, i86i, the Third Regiment broke camp. The 
camp guard was left to care for the sick and camp equipage. 
Orders were very strict as to the manner of doing guard duty. 
If any one approached from the front, the guards were to call 
"Halt," and if the party did not stop, they were to shoot. 

On the night of July 17th, John Ellis, of Company H, was on 
post, with Samuel Middleton, also of Company H, on his right. 
The camp guard was startled about eleven o'clock P. M. by a 
cry of "Halt," then a shot. Middleton called for the corporal 
of the guard, and when the squad reached the post they found 
Middleton standing over Ellis, who had been shot through the 
head. Middleton was placed under arrest. 

Middleton was asleep on post, and being suddenly aroused, 
saw Ellis walking his beat and called, "Halt." Ellis kept walk- 



300 FIRST XEIV JERSEY BRIGADE. 

ing- toward him, when he shot, kilhng him instantly. This was 
the first man killed of the Third Regiment, Xew Jersey Vol- 
unteers. 

The next day, July i8th, arrang^ements were made and the 
body of John Ellis was sent home to Germantown, Pa. Middle- 
ton was afterwards released from arrest and returned, to duty. 

At the battle of Gaines' ]\Iills, Aliddleton was badly wounded, 
and was discharged for disability on account of his wound. 

Ellis Post, No. 6, Department of Pennsylvania, G. A. R.. was 
named for John Ellis. 



A Brief Account of the Part the Third Regiment, New Jersey 

Volunteers, took in the Wilderness Campaign 

on May 8th, I864. 

We arrived on the field at Alsop's farm about 3 P. M., were 
ordered by General \\'arren, to whom we had been sent, into a 
piece of woods to feel the enemy's position. To reach these 
Avoods there was a field of about a thousand yards to cross. The 
Third Regiment, in command of Captain Duboise, was deployed 
as skirmishers, with the Fifteenth Regiment, New Jersey Volun- 
teers, in command of Colonel Campbell, as supports. 

The line advanced to witliin fifty yards of the enemy's line. 
^vhen the enemy opened fire, but the two regiments pressed on 
into the woods and found an impregnable position. \\'ithin five 
minutes the line was flanked on both flanks and compelled to fall 
back. Both regiments lost very heaxily. The Tenth Regiment 
was not engaged at this time. 

I would refer you to Foster's History, pages no, in. He 
will corroborate this statement. T have none of the ofticial 
reports to refer to, but I think you can verify this if you wnll 
refer to them. I was wounded in this fight while falling back. 
I think if you change the regiment number from the Tenth to 
the Third, in Nour manuscript, that it would be satisfactory. 
Yours respectfully. 

John W. Bodine, 
Station Master, Pcnna. Railroad, Camden, N. J. 




COLONEL JAMES TL SIMPSON, 
Fourth N. T. Vols. 



FIRST NBJV JERSEY BRIG. IDE. 3G1 



Appendix E. 



xA.n extract from the diary of Captain John P. Beach, Fourth 
New Jersey Volunteer Infantry, gives the following: 

"Ji-iiie 27th, Friday. Heavy fighting still going on on our 
right. 

"Our division was moved two miles nearer the Chickahominy 
to guard against a flank attack on our left. At i P. M. we 
marched back to camp, when the rebels commenced tO' shell us 
pretty lively, and we skedaddled into the woods, out of range, 
where we lay for about fifteen minutes, when an order came to 
move our' division double-quick to the support of our force on 
the right. The day was terribly hot, but we kept up double- 
quick nearly all the way. Arriving on the field at about three 
o'clock and near one of our old camp grounds at Gaines' IMill. 
we found our forces hard pressed (a zouave regiment had ap- 
parently just retired and were rallying). The brigade was im- 
mediately formed in two lines, the Third and Fourth Regi- 
ments in the first line, the First and Second in the second line. 
The rest of the brigade was soon taken away from us ( the 
Fourth Regiment) and sent into some woods. Our regiment 
advanced in line of battle into the woods, relieving- a Pennsyl- 
vania reserve regiment (Eleventh Pennsylvania) which retired. 

"We advanced with a yell a short distance, halted and opened 
and maintained a most murderous fire. We were armed with 
the new Springfield rifle with patent cartridge (no biting of 
cartridges). Our fire was rapid and incessant. Line after hne 
of the enemy was broken, as admitted by them later. 

"About seven o'clock, after several requests from Colonel 
Gallagher, of the Eleventh Pennsylvania, he was allowed to re- 
lieve us, our ammunition being about expended. We marched 
out of the woods, faced to the rear into the clearing about fifty 
yards, the ground having a gentle decline from the edge of the 
woods. To the left, on higher ground, was an old bush-camp. 



362 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

about a hundred or a hundred and fifty yards distant. A long 
line of battle was drawn up facing us. Out of the woods to 
their left a column of troops, at double-quick, was going into 
the line on their right. The smoke of burnt powder was so 
dense that it was hard to tell whether they were our supports 
or the enemy. Lieutenant Josiah Shaw, of Company B, of the 
Fourth, undertook to find out and proceeded towards the line 
of battle, running. He had advanced about half way when he 
was fired upon, the bullet cutting his sword belt. This was 
sufficient tO' show that they were the enemy and in our rear. 
Colonel Simpson attempted to take the regiment past the 
enemy's right flank, through the bush-camp, but the enemy at 
once prepared to deliver a volley. The order to lie down was 
promptly obeyed, and the volley passed harmlessly over them, 
but caught the Eleventh Pennsylvania in the rear. This was 
the first the Pennsylvania regiment knew of the enemy being in 
their rear, and almost at the same moment their foes charged 
them in front. This regiment was forced back from their line, 
into and over the Fourth New Jersey. Still another line of the 
enemy were back of the old bush-camp. It being certain that 
escape was impossible, the Fourth Regiment surrendered to the 
Fourth Texas, of General Whiting's division. We had been 
fighting for over an hour after all the other regiments of the 
Union army had been withdrawn, at least ten times our number, 
and had kept the enemy from advancing to the capture of the 
bridge. We went into the fight with less than 600 men, and 
our losses were 52 killed outright or mortalh' wounded, 103 
wounded and 437 captured." 



Extracts from the Diary of J. P. Beach, Company B, Fourth 
New Jersey Volunteers. 

IN FRONT OF PERTERSBURG. 
1864. 

December 8th. Sharp artillery duel lasting two hours on our 
right to-day. 

December 9th. Sharp picket firing last night. Four P. M. 
an order to pack up, ready to move out. Ouv Brigade, and parts 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 363 

of other brigades were moved to the right and distributed by so 
many comipanies to each fort, with orders not to take ofif our 
equipments. The Second and Fifth Corps and part of our corps 
are on a movement tO' the left and rumor sa)'s have met and 
defeated the enemy. 

December loth tO' i8th. Several large squads of recruits and 
convalescent wounded men returned. Usual amount of picket 
firing and artillery duelling. 

December i8th, Sunday. Sharp picket firing last night; 
pickets quiet to-day. A shotted salute of one hundred guns fired 
at the enemy to-day in honor of Sherman's very triumphant 
march to the sea. 

December 24th. (Note.) — ^Changed our quarters to-day on 
account of their taking the First Regiment men out of each 
company with which they have been serving and forming them 
into a separate battalion. Plenty of rum: around to-night, it 
being Christmas eve. 

December 26th. At 8 : 30 Aj . M. an order came around stat- 
ing that Sherman had captured Savannah and 180 pieces of 
artillery and 25,000 bales of cotton. Usual amount of firing. 

December 28th. Turned in our knapsacks, cartridge boxes 
and belts and received in exchange some of Colonel Man's (so- 
called) patent ones. Heavy artillery firing all day and to-night 
on the right in vicinity of Fort Hell. 

December 29th. Quiet to-day. From' seventy-five to one hun- 
dred recruits came for the regiment to-day. 

December 30th. The rebels surprised and captured some of 
our pickets. 

Decemjber 31st, Saturday. About five o'clock this morning the 
rebels stole upon the Third Brigade pickets of our division, sur- 
prising and capturing quite a number of them and also fourteen 
of the left of our regiment before the alarm was sounded in camp, 
when we were soon under arms and sent out two companies as 
skirmishers, who restored the line, the Johnnies having fallen 
back. Everything as usual the rest of the day. Among the 
captured were Chas. H. Severs, Phillip Landeman, Ed. Ludwig 
and Thos. G. Peachy, new recruits out of Company B. 



364 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

1865. 

January 3d. Order read off against wearing- boots, also one 
to hold no communication with the enemy except by flag- of truce 
aiid all prisoners to be sent direct to Corps Headquarters, first 
stating the circuni'stances under which they entered our lines. 

January 6th. The whole brigade fell in and marched about 
one mile to the left and outside the breastworks, where the whole 
division was drawn up to witness the shooting of Peter M. Cox, 
Company A, of our regiment, for desertion. The day was rainy 
and mud knee-deep. At 12 M. seated on his coffin he was driven 
past the division. He fell dead at the first fire. He was caught 
on a blockade runner and he was the only non-German in Com- 
pany A (German Company) and a very intelligent man. 

January 9th. The rebels made a dash on the pickets about 5 
A. M. We were out in line until daylight. A private of Com- 
pany G, Tenth Regiment, drummed out for desertion, sentenced 
to one year at hard labor on the Government works. 

January nth. Picket detail went out at 8 A. ^I.. when the 
rebels opened on our pioneers who were pulling up abattis in 
front of our picket line, wounding two men and the lieutenant 

in charge. 

Januai-v 15th. About two hundred recruits came to our regi- 
ment from City Point; (Hir Company. B, got thirty-three of 

them. 

January i8th. Promoted to Sergeant. An order stating that 
Fort Fisher was captured with 40 pieces of artillery and i.ooo 
prisoners. 

January 19th. ^^>nt out as sergeant with the picket detail at 
8 A. 2^1.. with orders to communicate with the enemy if possible 
and circulate an order among them to the effect that all deserters 
who wished would be employed in the quartermaster's depart- 
ment, so as not to be exposed to capture and all who brought in 
their horses would be paid for them. The rebels would not 
exchange papers. 

January 20th. The captures at Fort Fisher were 72 pieces of 
artillery and 2.500 prisoners, including General Whiting and 
Colonel Lamb. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 365 

Jaiuiar}^ 26th. Lieutenants Anderson and Hill mustered out. 
First Regiment moved into their new quarters. 

February ist. Turned in Colonel Man's patent equipments 
and received the old style. The new recruits all got vaccinated. 

February 4th. Sergeant of the guard to-day. Had consider- 
able trouble in arresting seven prisoners for robbing a tent mate 
of two hundred dollars. 

February 5th, Sunday. Reveille at 6 A. M. Guard mount at 
9 A. M. General inspection at lOi A. M. Picket detail sent out 
at II A. 'M. Orders tO' be ready to move at a moment's notice, 
no man tO' leave the camp. Took up the line of march at 7 P. M. 
Marched about eight miles to the left and halted at 9 P. M. and 
threw up a line of rifle pits ; sharp fighting on left to-day. 

February 6th. Lay still until i P. M., when our division 
moved about two^ miles to the left, crossing Hatcher's Run to the 
support of the Fifth Corps. Our division arrived on the ground 
about 5 P. M. and stacked arms. In about ten minutes, the 
Fifth Corps was driven out of the woods pell-mell, but did 
not stop at the breastworks; our division quickly seized their 
muskets, advanced double-quick, and took possession of the 
works. The Second Brigade on our right were slightly en- 
gaged, but the Johnnies seeing the breastworks were defended, 
fell back. The Fifth Corps was rallied and about ten at night 
came up and relieved us, and we moved about two miles to the 
right and lay down for the night. On account of the thick 
woods the Fifth Corps were only able to get two batteries into 
position and were handled pretty rough. 

February 7th. About 5 A. M. it commenced to rain. At 
9 A. M. we moved out of the open field into a piece of woods, 
where we remained until about 3 P. M., when we moved about 
two miles to the left to the support of the Fifth Corps. We 
stood in line until about 6 P. M., when we moved into a piece 
of woods and lay down for the night. 

February 8th, At i A. M. we took up the line of march for 
the camp. We left on the 5th, ariving there about 4 A. ^I. 
Roads in awful condition. 



24 F B 



366 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

February loth. Another company for the Fortieth Regiment 
arrived to-day, imder the command of Captain Schnetzer, of 
Trenton. 

February 12th. Picket detail went out to twenty posts, six 
men and a corporal on each post, with orders not to communi- 
cate with the enemy. Three men out of the picket detail de- 
serted to the enemy — Taylor out of B, and two others out of H 
Company. 

February 13th. Howard and six other sergeants got their 
commissions to-day. 

February 17th. Five deserters came into the Fifteenth and 
about forty in front of Ninth's Corps. 

February i8th. Two- more of our substitutes deserted to the 
enemy last night, one out of F and one out of Company I. 
Eight Johnnies came into the Third Brigade on our left. 

February 21st. Detailed to drill a squad of men for an hour 
before breakfast as punishment for them "shy sting" out of 
fatigue details yesterday. A salute fired in honor of Sherman's 
triumphant entry intO' Columbia and the capture of Charleston 
with all its heavy gtms. A detail out of each regiment, of 51 
men, three sergeants, and six corporals, stationed in the rifle- 
pits in expectation of an attack. 

February 23d. Rifle-pits again manned to-night. 

February 25th. Thirty-two. Johnnies came in front of our 
division last night, 1 1 of them to- our regiment. 

]March 5th. Orders read off complimenting General Sheridan 
and the men of his command for their brilliant achievements in 
the Valley, especially at Cedar Grove, in turning defeat into 
glorious victory. 

March 8th. Heard of General Sheridan finishing up Early's 
remnants, amounting to about 1,800, at \\'aynesboro in the 
Valley, capturing some 1,300 prisoners, including some 40 com- 
missioned officers and Early's staff officers. 

March 12th. Went out with a picket detail of 150 men and 
five commissioned officers. Orders not to communicate with the 
enemy. General Grant, of the Second Division of our Corps, 
paid our pickets a visit. About twelve o'clock to-night I took 
three men and going outside the abattis deployed them as skir- 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 3G7 

mishers, patrolled the whole length of our regimental front, which 
was a large open field ; the object was to pick up any of our men 
attempting to desert, or any of the enemy. The moon made it 
almost as light as day and I expected to hear the Johnnies open 
fire. 

March 13th. A rebel deserter came in at 5 A. M., and said 
my detail almost walked over two lieutenants and ten men last 
night, and had we been aware of it we would have taken them 
without firing a shot. 

]\Iarch 15th. About 11 130, the bugles blew to fall in double- 
cjuick, and we took our position behind the breastworks: every 
man in the regiment was compelled to take a gun. It amounted 
to nothing, and I guess the object was to see how quick we 
could man the works. 

^March 19th. Fell in. Brigade received white gloves; 
marched to Hancock Station to^ be reviewed b}^ Generals Meade 
and Wheaton. 

March 20th. Our division reviewed by Generals Meade and 
Wheaton. General Meade highly complimented the Brigade for 
its appearance. 

March 21st. Two more substitutes out of our regiment de- 
serted ofif vidette post to the enemy. 

March 22d. Saw in a Trenton paper the death of Sergeant 
Eugene Forbes, at Florence, South Carolina, where he died of 
systematic starvation. He was the soul of honor and a more 
patriotic man never lived. He was an orphan and enlisted at 
the outbreak of the war in the three-months men then in our 
Company B for three years. He was captured on the 6th of 
May. 1864, in the Wilderness, when the rebels got around our 
right flank. He was of frail build and many a time on our long 
marches some of the boys would help him to keep up by carrying 
his gun or knapsack. He could have had a commission but re- 
fused it. He was a printer and kept a diary, seeing which 
prompted me to do so. 

:\Iarch 25, Saturday. About i A. M., the pickets on the right 
began to fire quite briskly, when about 4 A. M. the rebels made 
a dash upon our lines in front of Petersburg, penetrating them 
and capturing Fort Steadman and about five hundred of our 



368 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

men. Our forts on the right and left concentrated their tire 
in Fort Steadman, and Hartranft, with the Ninth Crops, after 
about four hours hard fighting, retook the Fort, forced the 
enemy back, capturing about two thousand prisoners. About 
II A. M. our division moved up towards Petersburg, where we 
la)- in reserve until 12 M. When everything being quiet we 
returned to camp and stacked arms and broke ranks; when in 
about ten minutes the bugle blew to fall in, we fell in and 
marched about three miles to the left and lay in reserve at this 
time and until 5 P. M. There was some brisk fighting in front 
of the Second Corps and Fifth. 

In the latter part of the afternoon, the Second and Third 
Brigades of our division became engaged in front of Fort Fisher 
and drove the rebels over a mile, capturing about five hundred 
prisoners. At 5 P. M. our Brigade moved about two and a half 
miles to the left and took position in front of Fort Fisher, on 
ground that we had gained. We stacked arms, everything being 
quiet except our skirmishers. At 10 P. ]\I. a new line having 
been established we returned to camp, arriving there at mid- 
night. Only an occasional shot fired by the skirmishers during 
the night. The number of prisoners captured along the line to- 
day is estimated at 3,000. Our loss is estimated at from 500 to 
1,000 in killed, wounded and missing. 

March 26th. Regiment fell in line at 4 A. M. and remained 
until 6 130 A. M. Doctor's call at 7 130 A. M. Brigade fell in 
twice during the day, caused by the pickets firing in front of our 
Brigade. Some little cannonading- during the day. Inspection 
at retreat. At dark our pickets raised the devil, firing some- 
times in volleys. Our picket line was advanced several hundred 
yards. The loss in the Ninth Corps yesterday is estimated at 
68 killed, 338 wounded, and. 506 missing. They captured about 
1,800 prisoners. The Second Corps lost 51 killed, 462 wounded, 
and 177 missing. They captured about 700 prisoners. Geiieral 
Humphries estimates the enemy's loss in his front at four or six 
times his own. General Wright in our front at twice his own. 
Our loss is estimated at 47 killed, 400 wounded and 30 missing. 
The Second and Sixth Corps captured the enemy's intrench- 
ments and turned them against them ; the Johnnies in tr}-ing to 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 369 

re-take them lost heavily and prolonged the fighting until late 
at night. On the right the rebels sent in a flag of truce to collect 
their dead, which was granted. 

March 27th. Regiment fell in at 3 130 and marched out to 
the picket line, as a precaution against a dash of the enemy. At 
6 130 A. M. returned to camp. All quiet during the day in our 
front. At 5 P. M. a detail of 170 out of the regiment, 18 out 
of Company B, to put up abattis in front of the pickets and dig 
holes for the videttes. 

March 28th. But few shots fired on the picket line last night. 
Got the abattis all up and returned to camp at daylight. Brigade 
dress parade. At 2 P. M. orders to be ready to move ; drew two 
days' more rations to make five on hand. 

March 29th. Regiment out and in line at 3 130 A. M., and 
remained until 6 130. Doctor's call at 7 130 A. M. Brigade 
guard mount at 8 130 A. M. Orders to have everything packed 
up except the tents, and no man to leave camp. Inspection at 
retreat. About ten o'clock to-night the long roll was sounded all 
along the line, caused by some heavy mortar shelling on the 
right; there were as many as twenty shells in the air at a time; 
remained in line about two hours. 

March 30th. Regiment under arms from 4 A. M. to day- 
light. We have had everything packed up all day, ready to 
move. Inspection at retreat. Heavy fighting on the left to-day 
At 9 P. M. our company went on the breastworks. At 10 P. M 
an order came to move, but we lay still all night. 

March 31st. Regiment up and in line at 4 A. M. for an hour., 
when, it commencing to rain, we broke ranks. Severe fighting on 
the left. Inspection at retreat. 

April 1st. At 4 A. M'. the regiment moved out to the support 
of the pickets, remaining until daylight. Sergeant of the guard 
to-day. Brigade guard mount at 8 130 A. AI. At tattoo addi- 
tional guards were put on around the camp with orders to 
allow no one in or out without first calling for the officer of the 
guard. At 9 o'clock P. M. our forts along the entire line opened 
a terrific fire of shell upon the rebel line. It was a grand sight to 
witness. At 10 P. M. our division took up the line of march 
towards the left, and at two o'clock this Sunday morning, April 



370 FIRST XEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

2d, we went into position in front of Fort Fisher in rear of our 
picket line and in the following order : Fortieth Xew Jersey in 
first line; Fourth New Jersey in second line; Tenth in third line; 
Fifteenth in fourth line. In this position we remained until 5 
A. M., when the signal to charge (two cannon-shot tired in 
quick succession) was given from Fort Fisher. At the signal we 
moved forward, but the most of the Fortieth refused to move, 
and we passed over them. ^Ve had nearly reached the rebel 
works when the fire in our rear was so severe that I had to go 
back and try to stop their firing upon us. At this time the rebel 
artillery in a little redoubt on our right was sending an enfilading' 
fire of shell down the length of our line. As we saw the flash 
we dropped, and in a moment we were on our feet, and before 
they fired many shots we were up to and over their works in 
double-quick order, capturing the guns with quite a number of 
prisoners, without much oppiosition and with comparativelv little 
loss. Our division (First) were the first to penetrate the enemy's 
works, capturing three two-gun redoubts and two battle-flags. 
The Johnnies in our front retreated towards the Petersburg' 
front, in front of which the Ninth Corps were ha\"ing hot work 
Our corps re-formed, and, swinging to the left, marched in line 
of battle about five miles to the left, when we found our troops 
had carried the enemy's entire line to the left. The rebel troops 
to the left of Petersburg were in full retreat, so our corps coun- 
termarched back towards Petersburg, arriving there about i P. 
Al. After a fatiguing march, without any rests of importance, 
and after a good deal of maneuvering back and forth, all the 
time subject to the fire of the enemy's artillery, we took up a 
position with our left resting on the Appomattox River and our 
right connecting with the left of the Ninth Corps. At one time 
in the afternoon the rebels on the opposite side of the river 
brought a piece of artillery to bear on and enfilade our line, but 
they only fired two shots when our skirmishers made it so hot for 
them that they soon limbered up. 

While we lay in this position, which was in an open field, a 
rebel sharpshooter, who was a good distance away, kept up an 
annoying fire, but doing no execution until finally one of his 
shots struck, wounding James Jones, of my company (B), in the 



FIRST XEIV JERSEY BRIGADE. 371 

hip. Sergeant Bamford and myself carried him out of the hne 
of fire and laid him down. There was nothing but artillery 
firing and skirmishing until 5 P. M., when we threw up a tem- 
porary line of breastworks. 

The Second Division of our corps captured three pieces of 
artillery this afternoon. Barzilla Errickson, Company B, of the 
First Regiment, who has been serving with the others of Com- 
pany B, was killed this afternoon on the skirmish line. The 
rebels still occupy two or three forts directly in front of Peters- 
burg. 

Note. — In the early morning charge a portion of our regiment, 
under Major Hufty, after passing over the works continued on 
nearly to the South Side Railroad, far in advance of any other 
troops. The only commissioned officer of our regiment killed in 
the charge this A. M. was the gallant and brave Lieutenant 
Ackley, of Company K. He fell while in the act of laying his 
hands on one of the guns in the redoubt. He was formerly our 
color sergeant and had lately received a commission. He was 
one of the bravest and best-liked men in the regiment. When I 
went back to stop the fire of the Fortieth, I saw a man on his 
knees, knapsack in front, who seemed to be changing his shirt 
or putting another one on. I thought it a very queer place and 
time to change a fellow's linen. The loss in our (B) company 
to-day was eight men wounded : Elias B. Helm, both ankles, 
severe — he has been previously wounded at Spottsylvania ; 
Walter Lang, in ankle, severe ; Anthony Hellistine, in arm ; 
Thomas Kelly, in back with shell ; Jos. Katzenberg, in side ; Wil- 
liam Hamill, shght, in thumb; John Myers, in hand; James Jones, 
in hip. I do not know if all these men were wounded by the 
enemy's fire, as we were almost at the works when the fire from 
the rear was so severe that I had to go back and stop them. It 
was the first time the Fortieth was under fire, mostly all recruits, 
before the signal to charge was sounded. The rebel skirmishers 
opened fire, and some of the Fortieth broke, including two com- 
missioned officers, and lay down in the rear of our company, and 
had it not been for the fact that the men were falling in our com- 
pany ranks (two-thirds of whom were also recruits and substi- 
tutes) somebody would have been clubbed back to his position, 



372 FIRST XEIV JERSEY BRIGADE. 

but our new recruits were steady as veterans, made so by the firm 
and encouraging words and example of our sergeants (the file- 
closers). 

April 3d. At 5 A. M. the Mayor of Petersburg came out and 
surrendered the city to the major of the Fortieth Regiment, who 
was on the skirmish line. The rebels having left during the night, 
he rode into town and took possession, and shortly after a divi- 
sion of the Ninth Corps entered from the other side of town, 
who, I understand, claim the honor of being the first to enter the 
city; but it belongs to the Fortieth, of our Brigade. 

At 7 :30 A. M. the bugle sounded the Forward, and we took up 
the march after the Johnnies. Marched until 5 P. M., when we 
halted for the night, having made but ten or twelve miles to-day 
on account of the woods and swamps, which compelled us to have 
frequent halts. 

April 4th, Tuesday. Took up the line of march at 5 A. M. 
At 10 A. M., and during a halt, an official order read off from 
General Grant announcing that Richmond, the capital of the Con- 
federacy, was evacuated and our troops took possession yester- 
day. Our Brigade was sent along with our wagon train to build 
roads and bridges. During a halt our company (B) and two 
others were sent on a scout, but found nothing but two sick 
rebels, whom we did not molest. Very little forage to be got, we 
rejoined the regiment about 8 P. M., five miles from where we 
left them. The roads are in a very bad condition. 

April 5th. Took up the line of march at about 8 130 A. ]\I. 
Marched about five miles, when we halted for two hours and 
drew one day's rations out of the Fifth Corps' train, as our train 
was not yet up. At one P. M. our corps moved off, leaving our 
Brigade to wait for the train. Our regiment marched to where 
our train was to park, and stacked anus, with orders to be ready 
to move in two hours. The rest of the Brigade moved on. 

April 6th. Took up the line of march with train at 5 P. ^I. 
Marched until 5 130 P. M., when we came up to where our 
Brigade lay. drew three days' rations, and at 8 P. ]\I. resumed 
the march. The countrv^ is srettinsf better as we advance, but the 
roads are terrible. We marched like the very devil all night. 
During the march the Fortieth got frightened at something and 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 373 

formed line of battle, and had the whole Brigade to about face, 
but nothing was to be seen. Resuming the march, we continued 
on all night, arriving at Sailor's Creek Friday morning, April 
7th, at 5 130 A. M., where Sheridan's cavalry and our corps had a 
hard fight yesterday, which ended in the capture of General 
Ewell's entire corps, estimated at from six to ten thousand men, 
with sixteen pieces of artillery, thirty-one battle-flags and wagon 
train. The field presented such a spectacle as we have never seen 
before; small arms and accoutrements lay strewn all over the 
fields and along the road. We found our corps at 6 A. M., where 
we remained until 8:30 A. M., when General Custer passed us 
with thirty-one stand of captured rebel colors flying. We re- 
sumed the march, and at 4 130 P. M. halted about one mile from 
Farmville, where the rebels were in line of battle, resisting our 
cavalry, who had given them no rest night or day. Before dark 
our cavalry drove them back, and at 8 P. M., after the rebels 
burned the wagon and railroad bridges. We marched through 
Farmville and encamped for the night a mile beyond. Farmville 
seems to have been a thriving inland town. 

April 8th. Resumed the march at 9:30. Marched about a 
mile, then halted two hours to allow the Second and Third Bri- 
gades to draw rations. At 12 M. resumed the miarch and 
marched as w^e never marched before, for all there was in us, till 
midnight, when we went into camp, having made about eighteen 
miles to-day. All the men were very foot-sore. Our oflicers 
kept urging us on and a despatch was read that w^e had the enemy 
surrounded and we must be up to take a hand. Our cavalry are 
capturing large numbers of prisoners and seem to drive the 
enemy quite easily. Last night the rebels burned a large wagon 
train and their route is strewn with materials of war. One of 
our regiment while on picket last night picked up a rebel flag, a 
relic of 1776. It was a small red flag wnth a single star in the 
middle, and was presented to the North Carolina Regiment in 

1863. 

April 9th. Resumed the march at 5 130 A. M., our division 
on the right of the corps. We had frequent rests. Our cavalry 
followed up the enemy all last night, giving them no time to 
rest and were pegging into the Johnnies at 7 A. M., driving 



374 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

them before them. \\'e marched until i 130 P. M., when the 
whole corps was halted and it was rumored that a flag of truce 
had gone to the front and hostilities ceased, and it soon became 
known that General Grant and General Lee were having an in- 
terview looking tO' the surrender of the Rebel Army of Northern 
V'irginia. About three o'clock the glorious news was brought to 
us that Lee had surrendered. A large portion of our corps, in- 
cluding our Brigade, had halted in an immense field, artiller}'- 
and infantry together — the men were perfectlv wild with de- 
light. The batteries belched forth salutes, and the air was rent 
with cheers and black with caps thrown high in the air. It was 
a sight never to be forgotten. As to myself, personally, there 
seemed to rise before me a full realization of all the surrender 
implied, our sufferings and our sacrifices for the last four years, 
and as I tried to cheer, a lump seemed to rise in my throat, and 
it was some time before I could give vent to my delight. The 
pursuit had been a relentless one, and the fate of the rebel army 
was sealed as soon as they left the defenses of Petersburg and 
Richmond, and the surrender was hastened by the brilliant cap- 
ture of Ew^ell's corps at Sailor's Creek by the cavalry and our 
corps (the Sixth), all under command of the irrepressible and 
invincible Philip H. Sheridan. At 5 P. M. the troops went into 
camp and a ration of zvhisky zvas served. 

The conference between Grant and Lee was held at the house 
of Mr. McLean, at Appomattox Court House, a small insig- 
nificant village situated in a sort of a valley, with rich slopes of 
land rising above and beyond it on every side. There are about 
twenty-five dwellings in the town, two streets, but few inhabitants 
are left in the town. Rising conspicuously above every other 
building is the court house, which is a two-story plain brick 
structure of somewhat pretentious height, with a dome-like roof 
and of an ambitious yellow color. The McLean house, where 
the terms of surrender were drawn up, is evidently the best 
private residence in the town. It is built of brick, as nearly all 
the houses are, and has the inevitable portico in front and rear. 

General Ord purchased the table on which the terms of sur- 
render were signed, for fifty dollars. General Custer purchased 
the other table, on which the minutes were made out, for twenty- 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 375 

five dollars. The only trophies left Mr. McLean were the chairs, 
and he would not take pay for them, as he desired to keep them, 
but some cavalry officers seized them and made off with them. 
Lee's force which he surrendered is estimated at between 25,000 
and 30,000, some say more. Rosser's cavalry made their escape 
before the surrender took place. Elder's regular Battery B fired 
the last shot at the enemy before the surrender took place. 

April loth. All sorts of rumors about the surrender. Drew 
one day's ration of hard-tack, no coffee or sugar. Some of our 
stragglers got up to-day. 

April nth. Marched twenty-three miles. April 12th, twelve 
or fifteen miles. April 13th, marched to Burksville Junction, 
now our depot of supplies. Drew two days' rations of hard- 
tack, coffee and sugar. 

April 14th. We have been faring poorly for rations. 
April 14th. Got a mail to-day. First since leaving Peters- 
burg. Made out a requisition for clothing to-day for company, 
on which were seventy-two pairs of socks, thirty-four pair shoes. 
We were only able to get seven pairs of socks and fifteen pair of 
shoes. 

April 15th. Drew twelve more pair of socks and some shoes. 
April 1 6th. A despatch came to headquarters stating that 
President Lincoln was shot and not expected to live, also Sec- 
retary Seward and his son, but Seward himself was considered 
out of danger. The shooting took place at Ford's Theatre, 
Washington, by a man named Booth. Sergeant of the guard 
to-day. 

April 17th. A despatch came stating that Lincoln was dead 
and the troops are much incensed and depressed in consequence, 
coming, as it does, just as the skies are brightening and peace is 
dawning. A large squad of exchanged prisoners returned to the 
regiment. 

April 1 8th. Dress parade at 3 P. M., at which time we were 
presented with a new State flag. General Penrose making the 
presentation speech, in which he gave the regiment great praise 
for their gallantry in sustaining for four long years their own 
and the Nation's honor, and he said that in the late charge at 
Petersburg, when the Fourth New Jersey were heard from, they 



376 FIRST XEIV JERSEY BRIGADE. 

were clean over on the South Side raih-oad, which was about two 
miles from where we charged in. Colonel Hufty received the 
colors on behalf of the regiment in a short but appropriate 
speech, in which he said, if called upon again he would lead the 
regiment in the future as he had done in the past, where any 
dared to follow. It ended with cheers for General Penrose, 
Colonel Hufty and the State of New Jersey, and lastly, by the 
Major of the Fifteenth and his command, proposing three cheers 
for the old Fourth, which were given with a will. General Pen- 
rose in his speech said, the "First Division" was surpassed by 
none, it having- passed through the bloodiest battles the world 
€ver saw. 

April 19th and 21st. Minute-guns fired at noon to the mem- 
ory of President Lincoln. 

April 20th. Several recruits came to the regiment to-day. 
Rumor says Johnson has surrendered to Sherman. At tattoo to- 
night the camps are all illuminated with candles, from ground to 
tree-top, in honor of Johnson's surrender to Sherman. It was a 
magnificent sight. 

April 23. The sergeants were awakened at twelve o'clock last 
night to draw rations (two days') and clothes, which took until 
5 this A. M., when we took up the line of march towards Dan- 
ville with Sheridan's cavalry, keeping along the line of the rail- 
road, our regiment on the right of the corps. As we advanced, 
we sent safeguards to every house to remain until the division 
was passed. Marched until 6 P. M., when we halted at a small 
village called Keysville, sixty-six miles from Danville. Marched 
twenty-three miles to-day at the very least. The country through 
which we passed is quite open and laid out in fine farms and 
more thickly settled than some parts of the State. Met any num- 
ber of paroled prisoners. Heard of the surrender of the guerilla 
Mosby and his command in the valley. Sergeant David Polk 
Avent home on a twenty-two days' furlough. 

April 25th. Resumed march at 6 A. M. Crossed the Stanton 
River, halted for night near Halifax Court House. On march 
to-day we halted for an hour at i P. M. The weather is hot and 
the marching severe. We made fifteen to twenty miles to-day 
and manv fell out exhausted. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 377 

Alpril 26th. As we resumed the march at 6 A. M., Richard 
Campbell, of our company, was brought into camp more dead 
than alive. Seeing that he was almost played out yesterday, I 
told him to fall out, but his ambition would not let him till he 
fell exhausted in the ranks. He was a new recruit, a mere boy 
(Trentonian), but full of grit. We left him at a house in Hali- 
fax and in a short time word came that he was dead. Had he 
fallen out when I requested him to, his case might not have 
proven fatal. 

April 27th. Marched into Hanville. Resumed march at 6 : 45. 
Rested an hour at i P. M. for dinner. Resumed the march at 
2 P. M. At 3 : 30 P. M. crossed the river into Danville (none 
of the bridges destroyed) and marched through the city, com- 
pany front, with bands playing and colors flying. Went into 
camp about two miles beyond the town. Our Brigade was in 
the rear to-day. Danville is a pretty little place and the main 
street a fine one. 

April 28th. Reveille at 5 A. M. Doctor's call at 7 A. M. 
Guard mount at 8 130 A. M. Cleared the brush and dirt away 
and camped in column of companies. The military authorities 
have started a paper in Danville called the Sixth Corps. It is 
printed on a half-sheet Confederate paper. Jos. Richardson, a 
private in our Company B, though on detached service with the 
train, was mortally wounded in the bowels by a shot-gun in the 
hands of a citizen. Joe was after forage; the farmer ordered 
himi to leave it alone; he refused; the farmer shot him. 

Salutes were fired here yesterday in honor of Joe Johnson's 
surrender to Sherman. A despatch also came announcing the 
killing of Booth, Lincoln's assasin, by one of Baker's detectives. 

April 29th. Reveille at 5 A. M. Doctor's call at 7 A. M. 
Guard mount at 8 : 30 A. M. Sergeant of the guard to-day. 
Twelve men on a relief, with orders to allow no citizen into 
camp without a pass. Slight fall of rain about sundown, lasting 
an hour. The men are faring poorly for rations, not getting 
half their allowance. 

April 30th. Reveille at 5 A. M. Doctor's call at 7 A. M. 
Relieved from guard at 9 A. M. Muster and inspection at 11 
A. M., by Major McNealy, of the Tenth Reginrent. Company 



378 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

inspection at retreat. Tattoo at 8 P. M. Several trains left 
here last night bound for Johnson's army, among them ]\Iajor 
Johnson and another of General Wright's staff. The road is 
reported good for thirty-five miles. 

This completes data up to April 30th, 1865. 

May 1st. Reveille at 5 A. M. Doctor's call at 7 A. M. Guard 
mount at 9 A. M. All the guards to be called in, as there are 
orders to be ready to move. The talk is, we are to ho. stationed 
at various places along the railroad. Purchased and sent home 
a copy of our paper, called the Sixth Corps, and published on my 
twenty-first birthday. It contains General \\'right's congratula- 
tory order as follows 

' Headquarters, Sixth Army Corps. 

Danville, Va., April 27th, 1865. 
General Order No. 9. 

The Major-General commanding desires to e.xpress his great gratification 
at the accomplishment of the late march of the corps from Burksville Junc- 
tion in four days and four hours, not less than one hundred miles have 
been traversed — a march almost unprecedented in this or any other war. even 
under the most favorable auspices. Without the excitement of anticipated 
victory, without the hope of even meeting an enemy or of adding aught of 
glory or reitozcn to the already brilliant career of the corps. It is by the 
exhibition of such qualities as have been shown during the last few days — 
patience, endurance, fidelity — that the true soldier creates and sustains his 
own reputatiort and the pride and admiration of his commanders. While 
endeavoring to bestow all merited praise upon the command at large, the 
General commanding cannot conceal his regret and mortification at the con- 
duct of those men, few as they may be, who. regardless of orders as to 
decency, have, by their ruthless plundering and marauding among peaceful 
citizens, shown themselves utterly unworthy the name of soldiers. The 
disgraceful acts of these few men have made them the sole exception to the 
general commendation. 

Let these men remember that they have but to follow the noble example 
of their comrades to enable them to bear their share hereafter in the good 
name which history will not fail to award this corps. 

Bv command of Major-General Wright, 

C. H. WHITTLESEY. 

Asst. Adit.-Geitcral. 

Tuesday, May 2d. Reveille at 5 A. M. Doctor's call at 7 A. 
M. Guard mount at 9 A. M. Lay still until retreat, when we 
had company inspection. Nights rather cool for the season of 
the year. The Second and Third Bridgades broke camp. The 
Second embarked on cars, the Third go to-morrow. 



FIRST XEJV JERSEY BRIGADE. 379 

May 3d. Reveille at 5 A. AI. Doctor's call at 7. Guard 
mount at 9. A. AI. Company inspection at retreat. Saw the 
confirmation of the death of Booth (the President's assassin) at 
Garrett Farm, on the Rappahannock river. 

May 4th. Reveille at 5 A. M. Doctor's call at 7 A. M. 
Guard mount at 9. A. M. Orders to pack up and strike tents 
and to hold ourselves in readiness to move at a moment's notice ; 
but we did not get off. 

May 5th. At 7 A. M. we marched to the depot and took cars 
for Burksville Junction, distance of eighty-seven miles, where we 
arrived at 7 P. M. We averaged about ten miles an hour, on 
account of the poor condition of the road. The inhabitants along 
the road have undergone a great change in their sentiments, and 
appear to be perfectly satisfied to return under the old flag once 
more. 'Drew four days' rations. 

May 6th. Reveille at 5 A. M. General Penrose and staff, the 
Brigade Guards and the Pioneers took train for Sutherland 
Station; distance, forty-two miles. Lay still all day, not l>eing 
able tO' get transportation. 

Sunday, May 7th. Reveille at 4 A. M. Took up the line of 
march at 6 A. M. for Sutherland Station. Marched until 5 P. 
M., when we went into camp, after a march of t\venty-fi\e miles. 
Weather very hot, the Colonel of the Fortieth in command. 
Officers and men denounced his fast marching. 

May 8th. Reveille at 4 A. M. Resumed the march at 6 A. 
M. Marched until i P. M., when we halted for dinner Avith five 
miles further to go. My feet are in an awful condition and I am 
terribly chafed. The doctor have me a pass for the ambulance, 
the first since being in the service. Halted at the station and 
went into' camp. 

May 9th. Reveille at 6 A. M. Doctor's call at 7 : 30. Guard 
mount at 9 A. M. Pitched tents in column of company this A. 
M. At 2 P. M. orders came for our regiment to go back to 
Ford's Station; distance, ten miles. Drew two days' rations of 
soft bread. At 5 : 30 took up the march. Arrived at the station 
at 9 P. M. and encamped. 

May loth. Patrols sent up and down the roads and into the 
country to prevent pillaging. Great demand for safeguards. 



I 



380 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

May nth. Patrols sent eight miles up and down the road. 
Orders for 6 roll-calls a day and no man allowed half a mile 
from camp without a pass from headquarters. Inspection at 
retreat. Tattoo at 9 P. M. 

May 13th. Policed up the camp. The men allowed to-day to 
prepare for inspection to-morrow. Company inspection at re- 
treat. Tattoo at 8 P. M. Heard of the death of Jos. Richard- 
son, of our company, who was shot by a citizen near Danville. 

May 15th. Division headquarters went down this P. AL 
Major Tyler told the men of the capture of Jeff. Davis and his 
private secretary, near Macon, Ga. They also left orders to 
move. Company inspection at retreat. 

^May i6th. Any quantity of niggers, white men and women in 
camp to gather up the old clothes. All our safeguards were 
called in yesterday. An order came around to be ready to move, 
and at 1 1 o'clock we took up the line of march to Sutherland's 
Station; distance, ten miles. 

May i8th. Took up the line of march at 4 A. ^[., and at S 
A. M. we reached the outskirts of Petersburg and halted until 
9:30 A. M., when we resumed the march, marching through the 
city of Petersburg in columns of platoons. Petersburg had 
before the war been quite a thriving little place. Halted for 
dinner two miles beyond the town, and alx)ut 3 P. ^l. resumed 
the march five miles further and encamped. 

May 19th. Took up the line of march at 4:30 A. M., and 
at 8 A. M. we passed the outer line of the defenses of Richmond, 
whicli are about nine miles from the city. At 10 A. ^1. we 
passed the second line of defenses, and at 10:30 A. M. we halted 
and made dinner. Resumed the march at i 130 P. ^L, and 
marched about one mile and encamped inside the second line of 
the defenses and two miles from the city. The defenses of the 
city are very strong and consist of three lines of works, the 
outer one nine miles from the city and the inner one two miles. 
Rumor says that a despatch came to corps headquarters that the 
Fifth Corps of our army had an altercation with some of Sher- 
man's men about our corps (the Sixth), and a fight ensued in 
which three hundred were killed and wounded. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



381 



May 20th. Policed up the camp and lay still the rest of the 
day. Orders for the men whose terms expire before the first 
of October to be mustered out immediately. 

May 2 1 St. Sunday. Got a pass and took a squad out of the 
company over into Richmond. The principal part of the city is 
in ruins, and bridges connecting Richmond and Manchester de- 
stroyed. The park is a nice place, but small. It contains a fine 
statue of Washington. Whisky is supposed not to be sold to the 
troops, so entering a shoemaker's shop we inquired if he could tell 
us where w^e could get a drink. Mr. Shoemaker (this was not his 
name) produced several bottles, and those who drank took one 
or more cirinks at the modest price of twenty-five cents a drink, 
but Bamford, one of our party, whose thieving propensities were 
bound to show themselves, could not resist the temptation to 
crib one, which tended to equalize the price of our drinks. We 
then went around to a hotel and got our dinner, which consisted 
principally of pork and greens and bread and coffee — ^not a very 
elaborate bill of fare — for which we paid one dollar a dinner. 
Returned to camp at 5 P. M. A terrible thunder storm set in, 
lasting all night and drowning us all out. 

May 222d. Thirteen passes granted in company to-day to visit 
Richmond. James Connors, of the company, who has been 
straggling since the charge at Petersburg, returned to-day. 

May 23d. Fifteen passes issued to-day to visit Richmond. 
Lieutenant Brewin secured a leave of absence. 

May 24th. Took up the line of march at 6A. M. Our march 
through Manchester and Richmond was principally at carry 
arms, owing to the Twenty-fourth Corps being drawn up in line 
in the streets through which we marched. Got through with the 
D. P., and on the Charlottesville pike at 10 A. :\I. At 7 P. M. 
halted and camped at Hanover Court House, having marched 
about twenty-five miles. 

May 25th. Reveille at 2:15 A. M. Took up march at 4:30 
A. M. Crossed the Pamunkey River at 7 A. M. Marched like 
the devil was after us from 8 A. M. to 2:30 P. M., when we 
went into camp. A great many fell out from exhaustion, caused 
by the heat and rapid marching. Several reported to have died. 

May 26th. Reveille, 4 :30. Bugles blew to pack up at 6 A. 
M., but owing to it raining very hard at the time, we did not 
25 F B 



382 FIRST XmV JERSEY BRIGADE. 

resume the march until 9:30 A. M.. and marched until 4:30 P. 
M.. when we went into camp, having made but ten miles to-day, 
on account of the mud up to our knees and wading streams and 
wet to the skin. It outrivalled Burnside's famous mud-march 
for "the distance we marched. Still raining. 

May 29th. Reveille at 2:15 A. M. Doctor's call at 4 A. M. 
Took up the line of march at 5:15 A. M. Our division in the 
centre, our regiment right of brigade. 

May 30th. Tuesday. Took up line of march at 5 A. M. Our 
division on right our Brigade, left of division, marched through 
Fredericksburg and saw the effects of our several engagements 
in the perforated houses. Marched very fast until 1 130 P. M., 
when we went into camp at Acquia Creek, having marched 
al)out twenty miles to-day with but two rests. Weather hot. 

May 31st. Reveille at 3 A. M. Resumed the march at 
6 A. M. Marched very fast until i 130 P. M., when we went 
into camp, having marched about 18 miles to-day. 

June 1st. Resumed the march at 5 A. M. At 11:30 A. M. 
halted at Fairfax Station until i P. M., when we marched to 
within one mile of Fairfax Court House and went into camp, 
having marched about sixteen miles. Our division rear of corps 
crossed Wolf Run shoals at 8 A. M. 

June 2d. Resumed march at 5 A. M., and at 12 M. went 
into camp at Hall's Hill, near Munson's. Our division on the 
right of corps. Marcus L. \\^ard. of New Jersey, down to see 
the Jersey troops. 

June 3d. Regiment went into camp in column of company. 
Order to raise tents 18 inches from the ground and all to be 
the same height and width, and we have no axes to do it with. 
The men are faring poorly for rations. 

June 4th, Sunday. A requisition made out for all the clothing 
re(|uired 1)\' the men in the Brigade, to make them appear well 
on parade. \\'eather very hot. Many of the men fell out while 
on dress parade, from the effects of the heat. 

jniic 3th. Great preparations going on for the grand review 
of the corps. Insi>ection at retreat. An order read off about 
enlistinc: in the Resfular Armv. Also about rations. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 383 

June 6th. Weather very hot; drew a haversack full of pickles 
from the Sanitary Commission. The men are raising the devil, 
rallying on and tearing out sutlers. 

Tune /th. Cleaned up with new caps, pants and blouses, and 
new numbers and bugles for the corps. General Penrose in- 
spected the Brigade this P. M., and found everything except 
haversacks satisfactory, and the order to carry them on review 
was countermanded. Retreat at 6 130 P. M. 

June 8th. 1865. Oitr last review. Reveille at 2 A. M. Took 
up the line of march for Washington at 4 A. M., passing over 
the long bridge up Maryland avenue to the Capitol, where our 
corps formed, and at 9 A. M. with our regiment (Fourth 
Jersey) on the right of the corps. Took up the line of march, 
passing down Pennsylvania avenue in column of company at 
full distance. The day was very hot, and the march to Wash- 
ington, then on review and back to camp, made it almost as 
severe a march as we have had; very few men came into camp 
together. 

June loth. An order read off regarding men who have been 
prisoners of war in rebel prisons. They are to be mustered out 
immediately and receive three months' extra pay. 

June nth. Great dissatisfaction exists among the veterans 
because they are not mustered out before the recruits. 

June 1 2th. The order regarding prisoners of war applies 
only to those captured in 1864, but the officers appear to be in 
no hurry to comply with the order. 

June 13th. Orders to build shades over each company's tents 
and to build them to correspond. The men at work all day 
cutting poles and brush, crotched sticks. Slight rain. Retreat 
at 6 130 P. M. 

June 15th. Drew a lot of sanitary supplies, such as fine and 
coarse combs, pins and needles and thread and handkerchiefs 
and suspenders, pens and pencils, books and tobacco. 

June 1 6th. Drew some more shirts, suspenders, socks and 
drawers from the Sanitary Commission. 

Tune 19th. When the guards marched out on the Brigade 
parade ground and had the Brigade guard mount, additional 
guards were put on, whose orders were to allow no man out- 



384 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

side the bounds of his respective regiment without a pass from 
regimental headquarters. 

June 2oth. The Fourteenth New Jersey went home to-day. 
Our officers took a vote to see who wanted to go home and who 
wanted to remain in the service. Captains Howell and Skillman 
and Lieutenant Abrahams and Letzworth, I understand, are in 
favor of remaining, A severe thunder storm set in this P. M., 
lasting three hours. 

June 2 1st, Wednesday. Policed up the camp. Regimental 
dress parade at 6 P. M. Men all raising the devil with sutlers' 
shops. 

June 22d. Fifteenth Regiment mustered out, and also some 
recruits of our regiment — fourteen of my company. The men 
made a raid on the Fifteenth Regiment sutler and cleaned him 
out. The First Battallion and our regiment out during the 
night. Inspection at retreat. 

June 23d. The Fifteenth and the men of our regiment who 
were mustered out went home to-day. Orders came for all of 
the First, Third and Tenth Regiments to be mustered out imme- 
diately. Our regiment had a torchlight parade after taps to-day. 
Colonel Hufty and the officers tried to stop it but it was no go. 
We had a transparency bearing the inscription, "We zvant our 
rights." About two hundred had candles stuck in their bayonets 
and the rest marched in the rear. The whole drum corps was 
out. We marched through the Brigade, passed headquarters, 
cheered for some of the officers, and groaned others. We then 
marched back to our regiment, w^here Colonel Hufty and Cap- 
tain Howell, the Brigade officer of the day. were standing with 
others. We gave three cheers for the Fourth Regiment, three for 
the Second, and three groans for Colonel Hufty and three more 
for all the officers who signed the roll to remain in the service. 
The parade was then dismissed, after which the Second Division 
fellows had a parade and made more noise and racket than all 
of the corps put together. James Jones and Edward Campbell, 
of my company, recruits, mustered out to-day. 

June 24th. Policed up the camp. Considerable fatigue duty 
to-day. Inspection at retreat. Tattoo at 9 P. M. We had 
another grand parade to-night ; went over to division head- 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 385 

quarters; General Wheaton not being there, Colonel Lincoln 
made a brief speech, after which we went to Brigade head- 
quarters and called on Colonel Hufty for a speech, when the 
Adjutant of the Fortieth made a brief one about going home, 
when Kelly, who had command of us, made a comical and 
humorous speech. We then went to the Fortieth, and Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Spain made a brief speech. We then went to 
the Tenth, and the Colonel made a short speech. It being mid- 
night, we then dismissed. 

June 25th. Detailed as Brigade commissary sergeant, in place 
Russell, of the First Battalion, who goes home. I was averse to 
accepting this, as I had never been on detached service from 
the company since I enlisted, but as it was the desire of Colonel 
Hufty, Major McElhany and Captain Howell, I accepted. Ser- 
geant Morton, of Company C, detailed as quartermaster-sergeant 
of Brigade. Five men of the Second Battalion detailed as my 
assistants in the department. Issued five days' rations. 

June 27th. Lay still all day. Very unconcerned. This is a 
lazy job; no excitement. The First and Third Battalions and 
Tenth Regiment are making out their muster-out papers. 

June 28th. Everything very quiet. I sent into headquarters 
an account of stock on hand. Third Battalion mustered out to- 
day. 

June 29th. An order read off at regimental dress parade to 
resume company and battalion drills, and all torchlight parades 
are prohibited. First Battalion mustered out. 

June 30th. The First and Third Battalions started for home 
at 8 :30. Issued three days' rations. 

July I St. The Tenth New Jersey went home to-day. 

July 2d. Moved commissary department to-day. alongside of 
Brigade headquarters. 

July 3d. Everything very quiet. Orders came to-night to 
commence to make out the muster-out rolls of the Fourth Regi- 
ment immediately. 

July 7th. Everything quiet. My company have two hundred 
and eleven names on the rolls, which includes all who were ever 
• assigned to it, many of whom never reached the regiment. 



386 FIRST XEir JERSEY BRIGADE. 

July 8lh. Not mustered out yet, but got relieved from the 
commissary department. 

July 9th. Sunday. At 3 130 o'clock the regiment was mus- 
tered out of service and at 8 P. M. I was taken with terrible 
cramps and came very near receiving my final muster-out. I was 
so bad. Orders for reveille at 3 P. AI. and to move at 5 P. M. 
to-morrow. 

July loth. Reveille at 3 A. M. Packed knapsacks at 4 P. M. 
Loaded them in wagons, and at 4 130 fell in line and took up the 
march for Washington, homeward bound. Arrived in Wash- 
ington at 7 A. M. Lay around until 10 A. Al , when we boarded 
the cars for Baltimore and continued on. Arrived in the city of 
Philadelphia Tuesdav morning, July nth. at 6 A. M. Disem- 
barked and marched to the Cooper-shop, soldiers' rest refresh- 
ment saloon. Got a' good breakfast and a good wash and brush- 
ing up. I visited a barber-shop and got my mustache dyed, but 
it took the barber so long to find the several hairs that the regi- 
ment left me behind ; but I took another train and beat them to 
Trenton. The streets were crowded to receive the boys. On 
the 17th of July we signed the pay-roll at Kay's hotel, and on 
the 1 8th received our discharges and were paid off, which made 
us free once more. The interval between our arrival home and 
final discharge was occupied by the boys in sporting around and 
in general enjoyment, glad to return to the paths of peace and 
with a record as a regiment which they, the Nation and State, 
might well feel proud of. 




: - o . 3 6 7 8 9 
,_Coloi-s of the Fifteenth New Jersey Infantry. 
4-Colors of the First New Jersey Infantry. 
6-Colors of the Third New Jersey Infantry. 
8-Colors of the Fonrth New Jersey Infantry. 
9_State Standard of the Tenth Regiment. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 387 



Organization of the Fourth Regiment Infantry, of New Jersey, 

July 22, 1861. 

The Fourth Regiment Infantry of New Jersey was organized 
under the provisions of an act of Congress, approved July 22(1, 
1 86 1, as set forth in an official letter from the President oi the 
United States, dated Washington, D. C, July 24th, 1861, and 
from War Department, Washington, D. C, dated July 29th. 
1861. The regiment was fully organized, equipped and officered 
by the nineteenth day of August, at which time it was mustered 
into the service of the United States, for three years, at Camp 
Olden, Trenton, N. J., by Captain Alfred T. A. Torbert and 
Captain David B. McKibbin, United States Army. It left the 
State August 20th, 1861, with a full complement of men- 
officers, 38; non-commissioned officers and privates, 871 ; total, 
909. Upon arrival at Washington, the regiment was assigned 
to the brigade of Brigadier-General Phil Kearny, then consisting 
of the First, Second and Third Regiments, New Jersey Vol- 
unteers. 

Under the provisions of General Orders No. 191, War Depart- 
ment, Adjutant-General's Office, Washington, D. C, June 25th. 
1863, the greater part of the regiment re-enlisted in the field for 
three years or during the war. Those who did not re-enlist 
and who were with the regim-ent were mustered out at expiration 
of service, in the field, at various dates and places, by Captain 
A. M. Tyler, Assistant Commissary of Muster, First Division. 
Sixth Army Corps; while those who were absent by authority, 
reported by order at Trenton, N. J., and were mustered out by 
Captain James W. Long, United States Army. During the fall 
and winter of 1864-65, the strength of the regiment was greatly 
augmented numerically, but the esprit de corps of this magnifi- 
cent regiment almost ruined by the forwarding of a large number 
of recruits and substitutes. The regiment continued its organiza- 
tion and remained in active service until the close of the war, 
when it was mustered out at Halls Hill. Va., July 9th. 1865, by 
Major A. M. Tyler, Assistant Commissary of Musters. First 
Division. Provisional Corps, in compliance with orders fronrthe 



388 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

War Department, Adjutant-General's Office, Washington, D. C, 
July I St, 1865. 

The regiment constituted one of the four regiments composing 
what was generally known as the First Brigade, New Jersey 
Volunteers, and was first attached to the First Brigade 
(Kearny's), Franklin's Division; afterward to the First Brigade, 
First Division, First Army Corps, Major-General McDowell; 
then to the First Brigade, First Division, Sixth Army Corps, and 
at the close of the war was assigned to what was known as the 
Provisional Corps, Army of the Potomac. 



Some Historical Data and Reminiscences by Frank W. Gaul, of 
the Fourth Regiment. 

General Philip Kearny was our ideal of a soldier. He con- 
tributed very largely from his private fortune to the comfort 
of the sick in hospitals and was untiring in his efforts to make us 
all comfortable. I will give a few reminiscences that came under 
my immediate notice. He would unexpectedly appear at our 
cooks' quarters just before "dinner call" and demand that the 
cooks give him a taste of whatever they might have to serve the 
boys for that day — and woe betide the cook that had his shack 
untidy or his grub not well cooked. The following little inci- 
dent actually occurred at the kitchen of Company I, Fourth 
Regiment, while we were living at Camp Seminary : Company 
I's cook was a comical old son of Erin, who happened to be 
named Carney, though possibly no relative of the General. Well, 
one day just before "dinner call'' the General dropped in on 
Carney, very much to the surprise of the said Carney, but for- 
tunately found things spic and span and the cook singing, 
and apparently quite contented with his lot. Happening to 
turn around, imagine his consternation, if you can, when he 
beheld his visitor, General Kearny) Well, our cook gathered 
himself together the best he could, assumed the position of a 
soldier, with his sleeves rolled up and a big dipper in his hand. 
He saluted the General, who returned the salute and said, 
"What have you for dinner, my man?" "Vegetable soup, sor," 




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FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 389 

answerd our cook. "Give me some," said the General, which 
the cook promptly did. The General tasted it and remarked: 
"That's pretty good, my man. What's your name?" "Carney, 
sor," with a salute and a broad Irish accent. "Kearny, Kearny," 
repeated the General; "are you any relation to me, sir?" Well, 
our cook was entirely too much rattled to reply, but the General 
said, "When your dinner is served report to my headquarters, 
I want to see you." Well, the upshot of the whole matter was 
that Carney the cook came rolling into camp at about 5 P. M. 
gloriously jiggered and very hilarious indeed. Kearny the 
General had produced a bottle and given Carney the cook an 
invitation; and Carney the cook and the bottle did the rest. 
But this little episode doesn't end here. When our friend 
Carney the cook started for camp he unfortunately fell right in 
the path of Colonel Simpson, who, seeing his condition, ordered 
the sentinel on guard at his headquarters to call the corporal of 
the guard with a file of men, who promptly put Carney the 
cook in the guard house. That pretty nearly broke his heart; so 
he told his story tO' the boys at the guardhouse and it finally 
reached General Kearny's headquarters, when the General went 
over to Colonel Simpson's tent and told the Colonel how it all 
happened, asked the Colonel's pardon, and requested as a per- 
sonal favor that when Carney the cook got sober that he might 
be released from arrest and that no charges should be preferred 
against him. 

General Kearny was only in command of our Brigade on one 
"New Year's Day," that was January ist, 1862, when he issued 
a general amnesty proclamation releasing everyone in his com- 
mand from arrest who had any charges preferred against them, 
saying he desired to start the New Year right. 

During our campaign under Kearny against Manassas, Bull 
Run and Fairfax, among the spoils that were captured were 
several barrels of whisky. The men had knocked the head in 
one of them but were hesitating whether to take any of it or 
not, when the General rode up and said, "What have you there?" 
They answered, "It looks and smells like whisky. General, but 
we are afraid it's poisoned." The General remarked that no 
Southern gentleman would so far forget himself as to do that; 



390 FIRST XEIV JERSEY BRIGADE. 

then ill his impetuous wa}' said, "Give me some, give me some."' 
At once there were several tin cupsful handed to him. He 
smelled it, then tasted it, then took a good big swig of it, and 
handed the cup back to the man who gave it to him, saying, 
"If I am not dead in fifteen minutes drink all you want, drink 
all you want." 

Another anecdote of Kearny that, of course, didn't come under 
my immediate notice, though it did come prettv straight, and 
being so characteristic of the man and so flattering to the Jersey 
Brigade, we all believed in it religiously. Goes like this : 

Mr. Lincoln was very fond of General Kearny, and at a func- 
tion at the White House in the winter of 1861-2. where Kearny 
was a guest. Air. Lincoln drew him apart and asked his opinion 
of the movement on to Richmond. Kearny after telling the 
President what he thought of it, said to him : "Mr. President, 
give me a division of Jerseymen and put a peach orchard or a 
lien roost the other side of Richmond, and I'll take it in spite of 
hell, sir; in spite of hell !" 



The Fourth Regiment, New Jersey Veteran \^olunteers, was 
mustered mto the United States service on the 17th day of 
August, 1 861, and on the 19th started for Washington to join 
the First, Second and Third Regiments, who were already in the 
field and encamped at Fairfax Seminary. A'a.. about seven miles 
from Washington, D. C. 

The regiment, under command of Colonel James Hervey 
Simpson, reached Philadelphia, Pa., on the 20th and marched to 
the "Cooper Shop" N'olunteer Refreshment Saloon, where we 
were provided with a good, square meal. The Cooper Shop was 
situated at the foot of Washington street and still lingers in the 
memory of many a hungry and foot-sore soldier of the 6o's. as 
it remained open during the entire four years of the great strug- 
gle, supported by voluntary subscriptions of loyal Philadel- 
phians. The doors were never closed, day or night, and there 
was at all times a cup of good hot coffee, a .square meal and a 
loving, loyal hand to give it to any stray "Boy in Blue," or any 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 391 

number of them, who might call for refreshments. They fed 
single soldiers, squads, companies, battalions and regiments, no 
matter when they called, night or day, rain or shine, summer or 
winter, and never in all that four years did they turn awav a 
single soldier. All honor to Philadelphia, the Fourth Regiment 
having partaken four times of their magnificent bounty — once 
when they first started to the front, August 20th, 1861 ; again on 
the 2d day of January, 1864, after they had re-enlisted as a whole 
and were on their way home on a thirty-day veteran furlough ; 
again in February, 1864, on our way back to join our comrades 
of the Jersey Brigade at Brandy Station, Va., then finally on 
the 1 6th day of July, 1865, o^"^ our way home, after four years 
of service in the field, tO' be finally mustered out. And right here 
I desire to say to dear, loyal old Philadelphia [the city that I am 
proud to claim as my birthplace] for my comrades of the glorious 
Old Fourth Regiment, "We salute you with a "Hip, Hip, and 
Hurrah.' " 

After arriving at the Cooper Shop our regiment was drawn 
up in line and stacked arms, and a sorry old mess we made of it, 
too, never havino- tried that stunt before ; the most of our bovs 
never had a musket in their hands until the day before, and our 
officers were nearly as verdant as the privates were. We had 
a few among us who could handle a musket. Our Colonel Simp- 
son was a Regular Army officer and a graduate from West Point. 
Our Major, the gallant William B. Hatch, who afterward be- 
came our Colonel, and who was mortally wounded at Fredericks- 
bury, Va., December 13th, 1862, was a born soldier. He had 
held a commission in the Russan cavalry as captain of a troop, 
but was home at the breaking out of hostilities in 1861, and at 
once went out as Adjutant of the Fourth Regiment three-months' 
men, so was one of the first defenders. After stacking our arms 
we marched in companies to the wash-room, took a good and 
very much needed wash, then in to supper, as it was about 5 :30 
P. M., after which, the regiment being re-formed, the boys were 
ordered to take arms, which they did just about as gracefully as 
they had stacked them about two hours before. Then Colonel 
Simpson read us an account of the Massachusetts boys* little 
venture marching through Baltimore and being attacked by the 



392 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



mob. He then ordered the boys to load but not to cap their 
pieces. A modern soldier would laugh at our equipment of that 
period, all muzzle-loaders, the most of them altered flint-locks. 
After loading and being admonished to be careful, keep together 
and obey orders implicitly, we boarded a train of cars that was 
awaiting uS. We were, as was the custom in those days, drawn 
through Philadelphia by horses until we crossed the Schuylkill, 
when a locomotive was attached to our train and we proceeded 
on our way. We finally reached the outskirts of Baltimore just 
about daylight, disembarked, formed the regiment and were then 
ordered to "prime." That began to look like business. There 
was quite a mob of people of all classes there awaiting our arrival, 
as we were about the first troops to attempt to march through 
Baltimore since the attack on the Massachusetts boys. Well, the 
Baltimoreans didn't give us as warm and hearty a reception as 
that accorded us in Philadelphia, though we were of the opinion 
they would liked to have made it a great deal warmer. We got 
along without being molested, marched clear through the city, 
then'^re-embarked again for Washington. The only occurrence 
out of the ordinary from Baltimore to Washington was that an 
Irishman in Company G fell off the steps of the car. He had 
gone to sleep with all his harness on and with his musket m his 
hands, and if he could only have timed his nods with the rocking 
of the car he would have been all right, but fate willed it other- 
wise, and Toe took a header and plowed up some of the sacred 
soil of Maryland, My Maryland, with his head; but his injuries 
were slight, the jar woke him up, and he made a break for the 
train, which was not going as fast as our fliers do now, and had 
little difficulty in clambering aboard again. 

We reached Washington all right, about 10:30 A. M., August 
2 1 St, and at once set out on our march for Fairfax Seminary 
and joined the First New Jersey Brigade, which was further 
augmented by the addition of Battery A, First New Jersey 
Ardllerv, "Hexamer," and two troops of the First New York 
Cavalrv (Lincoln), and never was a more magnificent brigade 
in uniform. With our gallant one-armed general, who was just 
as proud of us as we were of him, no wonder we came home 
veterans, with such a superb soldier for our commander. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 393 

Our routine being the same as that of the rest of the Brigade, 
it is not my purpose to repeat what has already been recorded 
by our historian, a much abler reconter than I, but my mission 
in this History is only to add what the Fourth Regiment did 
outside of what was done by the whole Brigade. 

In November, 1861, our regiment was ordered to go to the 
navy yard in Washington and exchange our old antiquated 
arms for what were then up to date; and to show what can 
be done when you buckle right down to business. When we 
marched down old Pennsylvania avenue in Washington we were 
led by our Second Regiment band, Reinhart, the most famous 
volunteer band in the army at that time, and afterward our 
Brigade band. 

The Fourth Regiment drum corps was acknowledged and 
complimented by general officers, as well as by the rank and file, 
to be the best drum corps in the army, bar none, either Regular 
or Volunteer. 

Well, Colonel Simpson always said, "Good music makes 
good soldiers," and this volunteer regiment of green Jersey 
boys passed through the main thoroughfare of the nation's 
Capital, where the people saw regidars every day, in less than 
three months after their muster into the service inarched and 
drilled like regulars. Quite a number of spectators who asked 
what troops we were could hardly believe we were ^'olunteers. 

Now I skip everything from November, 1861, to June 27th, 
1862, because our service during that time was in conjunction 
with the rest of the Brigade, but on June 27th, 1862, at the 
battle of Gaines' Mills we were engaged independently of the 
other three regiments, an account of which, coupled with their 
imprisonment and exchange, I shall recount from what I per- 
sonally know of it. 

I take exception to General Grubb's account of the Battle of 
Gaines' Mills in one particular, and that is where he says after 
General Taylor, or Colonel Taylor it was then, commanding the 
Brigade, had found out what the "Comp de Paris" wanted, and 
ordered Grubb to "take the Fourth Regiment and go with him, 
see where it was placed, then come back and report to hmi." 
Grubb says, when he reported to Taylor, that the Fourth Regi- 



394 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

nient was tlien prisoners of war. / zcont to correct that state- 
ment this far: The Fourth Regiment did not surrender until 
they had completely exhausted their full sixty rounds of am- 
munition. Colonel Simpson turned to Adjutant Studdiford, 
after ascertaining that the men were out of ammunition, and said, 
"Send someone out and report to General Taylor that I cannot 
hold this position any longer without support or ammunition." 
I w as standing" right near and heard this conversation. Studdi- 
ford turned to me and repeated what Colonel Simpson had said, 
and told me to find General Taylor and report that to him. I 
immediately started for the rear and met the Eleventh Pennsyl- 
x'ania Reserves coming tO' our support. The firing was not so 
sharp in our immediate front as it had been, but we were getting 
it on both flanks and the Eleventh Pennsylvania had hardly 
formed in line of battle -before it became apparent that both 
regiments were entirely surrounded. I had just about time to 
get back far enough to escape capture, and finally found Gen- 
eral Taylor, with the First, Second and Third Regiments, sup- 
porting Hexamer's battery, and when I reported to him Colonel 
Simpson's request the minnie-balls were beginning to patter- 
patter quite lively right around there, and my recollection of 
that is that the Confederates charged Hexamer, who met them 
with canister. Then the Brigade rose uj) — they had been lying 
down behind the battery — and the battery fell back and the 
Brigade became engaged in a heavy musket-fire. I don't know 
how long that lasted, as having deli\'ered Colonel Simpson's 
message to General Taylor, and the stampede having actually 
l.>egun. I felt that I was at liberty to see that just one Boy in 
Blue, in whom I had an abiding interest, was justified in hunt- 
ing a more salubrious atmosphere, thinking that perhaps my 
acci-unt of the battle of Gaines' Mills might be interesting at 
some time. So I just changed front to the rear and went with 
the mol) — it had ceased to be an amiy — back to our camp at 
Fair Oaks. Then everything looked blue. There was no neces- 
sity for sacrificing our two regiments without accomplishing 
something. I want to say right here that when T found Taylor, 
he and the Brigade were at least three-quarters of a mile from 
wliere our regiment was left fighting, to the left and rear of 



FIRST Xmv JERSEY BRIGADE. 395 

our position, and there were no org-anized troops in thai interval. 
I remember we were armed with old muzzle-loaders and used 
black powder, and the smoke that would gather during and 
after firing, either by infantry or artillery, was worse than a 
heavy fog, making it almost impossible to see anyone twentv 
l^aces in front of our lines or on either flank for any considerable 
distance. 

Our first engagement of any importance was at Gaines' Mills, 
_'7th of June, 1862, in McClellan's Campaign on the Peninsula, 
wliere our regiment with the Eleventh Pennsylvania Reserves 
were sent in as a forlorn hope to cover the retreat of the army, 
and where both regiments were captured, entire, after using sixty 
rounds of ammunition, all they had, and were sent to Richmond 
as prisoners of war, where they remained for forty-two days. 
General Longstreet opposed us that day. He was a classmate 
of Colonel Simpson's at West Point ; after hearing that Simp- 
son's command had been captured, he sent an aide to invite 
Simpson to share his quarters that night, which was very indig- 
nantly declined. We remained on the field nearly all that night 
under rebel escort, and were escorted to Richmond, being the 
first two regiments of the Union army to enter Richmond, not 
voluntarily however. In going through the streets of Richmond 
with our escorts we were subjected to all sorts of indignities, the 
worst of which was trailing our colors through the streets in 
front of us. The enlisted men were sent on Bell Isle and the 
officers were confined in Libby Prison, an old tobacco warehouse 
which became famous during the war as a prison. 

We rejoined the Brigade at Harrison's Landing, just two days 
l)efore McClellan's final move from the Peninsula. From there 
we went to Washington, and were engaged in the second battle 
of Bull Run, on the 27th of August, 1862. 

Our regiment was exchanged about the lOth or 12th of August, 
1862, and rejoined the Brigade at Harrison's Landing just about 
two days before McClellan's final move off the Peninsula. The 
remnant of the regiment, about fifty all told, who had escaped 
ca])ture at Gaines' Mills, had been detached from the Brigade 
headquarters, where we had been doing duty, and sent to divi- 
sion headquarters of General Sl<>cum by request of General 



I 



396 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

Kearny. The day we went there General Slocum received his 
commission as Major-General. He received us personally and 
made a characteristic speech that put the boys in good spirits. 
They celebrated the General's promotion that night at division 
headquarters, and were so hilarious that we didn't get much 
sleep. We got even with them, however, as the next day our 
regiment was exchanged, and it was our time to celebrate, which 
we did with a vengeance. We were finally re-united, re-organ- 
ized and ordered back to the Brigade. We participated at Bull 
Run Second, 27th of August, 1862, with the Brigade; from 
there to Chantilly, where our "ideal," Major-General Phil 
Kearny, was killed, on September ist, 1862. His death was a 
great blow to the whole army, and we of the Fourth Regiment 
felt that we especially had lost a friend, he having demonstrated 
his friendship on more than one occasion. 

The condition of affairs at this time was truly alarming. We 
had suffered humiliation, not defeat; because there was not a 
battle fought on that ill-fated Peninsular Campaign of 1862 that, 
if it had been pressed, would not have landed us victorious in 
Richmond. But we fought and fell back without reason — victory 
was ours even in the last of the Seven-days' Battles at Malvern 
Hill, where we had the assistance of our gunboats and where 
we checked the rebs and could have forced them to have taken 
a back track to their Capital. People in the North were getting 
discouraged, volunteering had almost if not entirely ceased, and 
in some places they had resorted to the draft, notably in New 
York, where they were in open revolt against the authorities; 
and it was about that time that it was rumored that our Jersey 
Brigade was to be sent home to assist in quelling the draft riots 
in New York city. There was also riding at anchor in Hampton 
Roads a large British fleet that had come over with the avowed 
purpose of recognizing the Confederacy. But wait. Something 
was about to happen, and did happen, on the 14th of September, 
1862, at Crampton's Pass, on South Mountain, Maryland. We 
met Lee with his whole army and fought and won and followed 
up our victory, and again, three days after, on the 17th of Sep- 
tember, ran up against them and won a decisive battle at An- 
tietam, completely routing the whole rebel army after great loss; 





JOHN W. BODINE. 

W. FRANK GAUL. 

SHEFFIELD TUESDAY. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 397 

and had we followed up our victory we could have captured or 
destroyed that whole army. 

In this battle of Crampton's Pass we captured three stands of 
rebel colors belonging to Cobb's Georgia Legion and enough 
Springfield rifles to equip the entire regiment, having before that 
engagement nothing but smooth-bores and altered flint-locks, 
and gained the applause of the State. By a joint resolution of 
the New Jersey House and Senate we were awarded a new stand 
of State colors, costing the State $1,500, with a sketch in oil on 
the flag of the charge at Crampton's Pass and the inscription, 
"Presented by New Jersey to her Fourth Regiment for gallant 
conduct at Crampton's Pass." 

That victory put new life and hope in our loyal friends in 
the North. Voluntary enlistments were at once resumed; our 
visitors, that British fleet in Hampton Roads, thought better of it 
and decided to keep hands off. I am of the humble opinion that 
the presence of a "Russian" fleet quite the equal of that British 
one happening to run into New York harbor had something to 
do with the change of heart that overcome our British cousins at 
that time. 

After Fredericksburg, December 13th, 1862, where we lost 
Colonel William B. Hatch, Colonel William Birney succeeded 
to the command; we laid with the Brigade until what we called 
the Second Fredericksburg, as part of our Brigade held the same 
position that we did at the first battle, on December 13th, 1862. 
This second battle is known as Chancellorsville. May 3d. 1863, 
part of our Brigade, notably the Fifteenth and Twenty-third, 
were engaged at Salem Church, but the Fourth were on the 
left of the Union line just about in the same position we held 
at the first battle. After Chancellorsville we were detached 
from the Brigade and sent to army headquarters, where we had 
charge of the army headquarters wagon train and the reserve 
artillery ammunition train, and remained there until after the 
battle of Gettysburg, where six companies of the Fourth Regi- 
ment were on Little Round Top with the artillery reserve, the 
other four companies in charge of army headquarters wagon 
train at Westminster, where they narrowly escaped destruction 
by Lee's army when they were compelled to fall back from 
26 F B 



398 FIRST XEIV JERSEY BRIGADE. 

Gettysburg. After Gettysburg we were relieved from duty at 
army headquarters and again joined the Brigade, finally land- 
ing at Brandy Station, Va., in November, 1863. After par- 
ticipating in that terrible campaign to Mine Run, where we 
suffered with the cold more than on any other of our cam- 
paigns during the ^Yhole war, we again took up winter quar- 
ters at Brandy Station, Va., and on Christmas Day, 1863, our 
regiment re-enlisted entire' for three years more, or during the 
war, and on the ist day of January, 1864, started for home 
on a thirty-day veteran furlough. That day will long be re- 
membered by most of us. We had had some terrible cold 
weather. The ground had been frozen, but this first day of the 
new year, 1864, the sun shone beautifully and thawed quite a 
bit. We had to march to the station from our camp, perhaps 
three or four miles, and our shoes got quite muddy, and when 
we got to Brandy Station the only transportation we could get 
to Washington was a train of cattle cars that had brought a load 
of cattle down that day, and they had only been about half 
cleaned and were ver}^ wet. The night was bitterly cold, the 
distance about forty-five miles, the wind blowing a gale, and 
we poor boys with wet feet in those cattle cars suffered severely. 
There were a number of our boys who^ were very badly frost- 
bitten. One man had tO' be taken out of the car when we 
reached Washington, being so cold he had no use of himself at 
all. There were several amputations of fingers and toes from 
ha\ing been frozen. When we finally reached Washington and 
jumped out of the cars I was so cold that I had no feeling in 
ni}- lower limbs, and onl}- felt the jar of jumping out on the 
frozen ground from m}' l^elt up. We verv naturall}- made a 
break for the nearest place to get a cup of coffee or anything 
that would stimulate circulation, and finally managed to get 
thawed out. Went home for thirty days; had the time of our 
lives : returned when our time was up, and rejoined the Brigade 
where we left them, at Brandy Station, and continued in the 
business of making history. We had been reinforced by the 
Tenth and Fortieth Ne\v Jersey Regiments, making the Brigade 
consist of the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Tenth. Fifteenth 
and Fortieth. The Twenty-third had been a part of the Brigade, 



FIRST NEW JERSKY BRIGADE. 399 

but their time had expired in June, 1863, just> before the battle 
of Gettysburg. The most of the First, Second and Third, not 
having re-enHsted, left us some time in June, 1864, about Cold 
Harlx)r. their time having expired. That left the Brigade the 
Fourth, Tenth, Fifteenth and Fortieth' to keep up the Brigade 
organization. So you see, while the Fourth Regiment was not 
at the first battle of Bull Run the First, Second and Third were, 
but the Fourth took up and continued the Brigade's record from 
Cold Harbor to and including Appomattox; making the Bri- 
gade's service a continuous one from Bull Run to Appomattox, 
with the Fourth Regiment easily the leader in point of sei"\Mce. 

I want to add right here that any soldier who went through 
that famous campaign of Grant's, from the Wilderness to 
Petersburg, certainly gained the right to be called a "Veteran," 
no matter what command he served in. I could write a whole 
^'olume of acts of personal heroism that came under my im- 
mediate notice in that campaign and would be glad to do so if 
space permitted. 

THE WIIvDERXESS CAMPAIGN, 1864. 

In the spring of, 1864 Grant opened his campaign against 
Lee of the Confederate army, known as the Wilderness cam- 
paign, and we were in all of the engagements of that campaign 
down and including Petersburg. 

After establishing the lines our corps, the Sixth Corps, of 
which we were the First Brigade, were sent up to join Sheridan 
in the Shenandoah Valley, in the battle of Winchester. August 
1 6th, 1864. We lost a number of prisoners, among whom were 
a number of officers from our Brigade, viz. : 

Lieutenant-Colonel Charles H. Tay. Tenth New Jersey Volun- 
teers. 

Captain William H. Snowden, Tenth New Jersey Volunteers. 

Captain George W. Hummell, Tenth New Jersey Volunteers. 

Captain William Todd, Tenth New Jersey Volunteers. 

Captain Charles V. C. ^lurphy. Tenth New Jersey Volunteers. 

Lieutenant John E. Pepper, Tenth New Jersey Volunteers. 

Lieutenant S. A. Steinmetz. Tenth New Jeresey Volunteers. 



400 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

Captain Samuel M. Gaul, Fourth New Jersey Volunteers. 
Lieutenant Donnelly, Fifteenth New Jersey Volunteers. 
Captain Hartman, Third New Jersey Cavalry. 

The above were all the Jerseymen ; then there was : 
Lieutenant Dwyer, Fifth United States Cavalry. 
Lieutenant Church, Fourth New York Cavalry. 
Captain Sawyer, Third New Jersey Cavalry. 
Lieutenant Russell. 

I want to say in this connection, that our Brigade was sent in 
in this battle of Winchester, August i6th, 1864, as a forlorn 
hope, and every soldier knows that according to the ethics of 
war every survivor of a forlorn hope is entitled to a "medal of 
honor." This made the second time the Fourth Regiment had 
been left in that way, and now I want to record just what our 
gallant little Brigade did that day and describe in my 
poor way what a real battle means. When we were left there 
we numbered just about 700 in the whole Brigade (not a 
decent regiment in numbers), but a whole army corps as a fight- 
ing force. We had the advantage, of course, of being behind 
some of those old Virginia stone walls, but this little band of 
700 Jerseymen held at bay Early's entire army for several hours, 
repeatedly repulsing them, and at one time, when they assaulted 
us with three compact lines of battle, we sent them whirling 
back, while the cheers of our whole 700 were at times drowned 
by the curses of their officers, who, to cheer their men on. would 
say, "Why, that is only a skirmish line !" They didn't know 
at that time how near the truth they were, but they finally, at 
about dusk, dislodged us and I never heard the "rebel yell," be- 
fore nor after, that sounded quite so fiendish as on that occasion. 
This is the battle, remember, in which these officers were cap- 
lured that were afterward held as hostages, expecting even' day 
to be hung in retaliation for those rebel raiders that burned 
Chambersburg, Pa. Colonel Tay, of the Tenth New Jersey, 
being the ranking officer among the prisoners, the officer com- 
manding the attacking force of the Confederates asked him what 
troops had l^een fighting him. Colonel Tay told him the First 
Jersey Brigade, about 700 strong when the battle began. He 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 401 

told Tay that he was in noi mood to be trifled with and wanted 
to know. Tay repeated what he had said before, when the 
General blurted out, "That's a damned lie." Tay said to him, 
''Well, there is one way to prove it : count your prisoners and 
see to what they belonged." The next day the General looked 
up Tay and apologized to him, saying, "Why, Colonel, I never 
seen such a stubborn resistance by such a small body of men. 
I have buried over 700 of my men, killed right there, and your 
whole force was not over that." The Brigade that day con- 
sisted of the Fourth, Tenth, Fifteenth and Fortieth Regiments.. 

Previous to this the Confederate General McCausland had 
made a raid on Chambersburg, Pa., and demanding a ransom 
from the town of one hundred thousand dollars, which not com- 
ing soon enough to suit him, he ordered a destruction of the 
town, and it was partly destroyed by fire, but quite a number 
of McCausland' s men were captured, and having violated the 
laws of civilized warfare they were not treated as regular 
prisoners of war, but Secretary of War Stanton ordered the 
execution of a number of them. When that news reached Rich- 
mond, the Confederate authorities, after capturing the officers 
abo^■e named, ordered that they be sent to Lynchburg, ^^a., and 
held as hostages. There they threatened to execute two Yankee 
officers for everyone of McCausland's raiders who might be 
executed by Stanton's orders. They remained there at Lynch- 
burg with halters practically around their necks for three 
months, waiting for this "hanging bee" to commence. 

In the meantime, General Fitzhugh Lee and General Wise, 
son of ex-Governor Wise, of Virginia, both being Brigadier- 
Generals in the Confederate army, had been captured, and were 
held as prisoners of war; and Stanton gave the authorities at 
Richmond notice that they might proceed with the hanging, and 
he would commence with the highest in rank that he held, which 
would have included these two generals. 

In my estimation, General Lee, having been unfortunate 
enough to become a prisoner in our hands at that time, ren- 
dered the only real service to the Government that educated him 
that he ever did render. The hanging never came off. These 



402 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

officers were released as hostages and sent to Danville. Va., 
and were finally exchanged on the 22d of February, 1865. 

After the campaign in the Shenandoah \^alley. under Sheridan, 
the Sixth Corps again rejoined the Army of the Potomac before 
Petersburg, and on the morning of the 2d of April, '65, the old 
Jersey Brigade broke the rebel lines, encountering our old 
"friends," the Georgia Legion, and putting them to flight, which 
finally culminated at Appomattox, April 9th, '65 ; l>eing the only 
volunteer brigade in the United States Armv that had a continu- 
ous record of fifty-two regular engagements from Bull Run to 
Appomattox. 

The Sixth Corps then, after Lee's surrender at Appomattox, 
was placed in charge of the army of Northern Virginia, Con- 
federates, until they were finall)^ disbanded and given transporta- 
tion to their homes. 

Right here I w^ould like to say that if Appomattox had been 
fought, as we expected it would be, instead of Lee's surrender, 
as he did, it would have been the bloodiest battle on record. 

After paroling and transporting them to their hom'es, we were 
sent to Danville, Va., about three miles from the North Carolina 
line, to intercept General Joseph Johnson, who was coming up 
with his army to re-enforce Lee, but was too late and surrendered 
to General Wright, commanding the Sixth Corps at Greenville. 
N. C. 

We were then sent back to Hall's Hill, Va., where we were 
finally mustered out and sent home, on the 15th of July, '65. 



APPOMATTOX, 1865. 

There are some men living yet who remember Appomattox, 
April 9th, 1865, the greatest day that ever dawned on civiliza- 
tion. 

We broke the rebel lines at Petersburg- on the morning of 
April 2d, just as the day began to dawn, after that long seige. 
The Sixth Corps, through some fatality, was the corps to make 
the first break awav up on Grant's left. We had taken up that 



FIRST NEW JERSBY BRIGADE. 403 

position under cover of darkness, and vou bet we did some euess- 
ing that night, because we knew wherever the Sixth Corps was 
ordered she always started for. She knew not to falter, and 
every man in the corps at that time meant either to carry the 
Rebel works at that point, at that time, or die in the attempt. At 
the first gray streak of morning the advance was ordered, and 
a very agreeable surprise to us all was the little resistance that 
was offered — and we up against our old time antagonists, the 
"Georgia Legion." No better troops ever wore the gray, and 
w^ell we knew it, as we had met them a number of times in our 
four years. Well, no one knew just what was going to happen, 
as we started with just three days' rations on that memorable 
seven days' tramp from Petersburg to Appomattox, and that was 
all the rations we had from the 2d of April to the 9th. We 
knew that Lee's army was in pretty bad shape, and, of course, 
as soldiers will, we all began to speculate on what would be the 
outcome, until finally on the morning of the ninth we were drawn 
up in line of battle. There was a clump of woods between us 
and Lee's lines, sO' we could not see them but we could hear the 
booming of what w^e soon learned was Sheridan's guns in their 
front. Word came to- us that Grant had Lee surrounded and 
had given him four hours to surrender unconditionally. Well, 
we were hungry, and if we didn't have anything to cook it had 
become second nature with us, so we took the top rails of a 
convenient fence; as long as the top rails lasted, and proceeded 
to build a fire. Then this happened right in the Fourth New 
Jersey, my regiment — I don't know what happened anywhere 
else, but believe the sam'e spirit pervaded the entire army : I had 
been detailed some time previous as mail agent at brigade head- 
quarters, and of course had a good mount and almost alwa>-s 
carried a mail pouch, and would take letters at any time and 
mail them at the first opportunity. Well, I had ridden down to 
the Fourth Regiment in hopes of striking someone who had a 
hard-tack to divide, knowing full well if there was one in the 
regiment I could get half of it. I didn't get any, but we used a 
canteen of water to wash with and then began to talk over the 
situation, and in a very short time Lieutenant A. D. Nichols, a 
comrade of mine, who was one of the original members of Com- 



404 PIRSr NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

pany G, a private when he enhsted, but at the time of which I 
write, a first heutenant, came up to me and handed me his watch, 
a ring, and some money, with these instructions : ''Frank, we 
have been talking this matter over, and we find that we have 
Lee and his army just where we have had them twice before, 
once at Antietam, Md., September i/th, 1862; again at Gettys- 
burg, Pa., July 3d, 1863, and again now, and we have decided 
that if Lee does not surrender, but determines to fight, that so 
far as we are concerned it shall be a fight to the finish, as we 
shall neither ask nor give quarter. There shall not be one sur- 
vivor of the Army of Northern Virginia if it is fight, and God 
alone knows how many of us will survive. In case I am killed, 
you know what to do with these things." In less than one hour 
I had, I presume, at least $10,000 of value in money, watches and 
jewelry that belonged to the members of the Fourth New Jersey 
Regiment. They came so fast after Lieutenant Nichols started 
it, that I had to require them to do up their valuables in some 
sort of package and mark them. I then put them into the mail- 
pouch. We were mighty glad when the news came that Lee had 
surrendered. 

When our boys were feeling as I have attempted to describe, 
what a wondrous transformation ! The news came, Lee has 
surrendered ! Those fiends of a moment before became human 
once more. Men, who had been hardened by a few years of 
active military life, wept like children for very joy. Everything 
they could get hold of they threw up in the air — they yelled 
themselves hoarse, and it looked like one great blue lunatic asy- 
lum on a picnic. Our next joy, arrival of our supply train and 
visions of a square meal, stared us in the face. Then what was 
our first thoughts? Just this — and I think every man in the 
army thought alike — it was, well we have fought and marched 
night and day for seven days on three days' rations ; we are aw- 
ful hungry, but those poor old Johnnies must be a thousand times 
worse ofif than we. It was then the Yankee Boy in Blue showed 
the stuff he was made of, and they said, "We must share what- 
ever there is in that train with those poor hungry old grey- 
backs," and they did, but they never dreamed that they were 
feeding our future generals for the U. S. A. Our true loyal 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



405 



comrades, who had roughed it with us for four long weary 
years, and who had proven their fitness to command either large 
or small bodies of soldiers, were good enough for us then and 
are to-day. 



A SOLDIER OF FORTUNE." 

While Grant's Wilderness campaign was perhaps the most bit- 
terly contested campaign in history, and showed greater losses 
and fiercer fighting than ever had been recorded before, the 
reader must take into the account the personnel of the two 
armies. While foreigners of all countries might have been found 
scattered through both armies, the great bulk of officers and men 
were Americans "to the manor born." I personally would not 
give rations to a "soldier of fortune" who would enlist under 
any old standard, because I have never 3^et seen one who was 
on the job when the bullets began to whistle or the shells began 
to screech; but take a full-fledged American, fighting as those 
two conflicting annies of the 60" s were, each believing religi- 
ously in his cause, and three never breathed more magnificent 
destructive factors than those of the Union and Confederate 
armies of 1861-65. 

To illustrate, I will give a few personal reminiscences to show 
the endurance, recklessness and pluck, not only of our Boys in 
Blue but of our butternut antagonists — the best soldiers in the 
w^orld, and it would not have been much credit to us if they 
had not been, because it took us four long, w^eary years to put 
them out of business, and they had us guessing many times in 
that four years. 

To distress a little, I want to go back to June 27th, 1862, and 
show^ what a "soldier of fortune" did for our regiment, the 
Fourth. He was a king out of a job. You will remember that 
during the Peninsular Campaign under McClellan there were a 
good many "tin soldiers," but that campaign finished the most 
of them, among the rest this fellow wdio a king would be, and 
serving of McClellan's staff was the Count de Paris, the Bourbon 
pretender to the throne of France, and his cousin, the Duke de 



406 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

Chartres. At the battle of Gaines' Mills the Count de Paris was 
ordered by McClellan to get a regiment and take it where the 
line seemed to be weak, and he at once rode over to Colonel Tay- 
lor, commanding the First Brigade at that time, and made his 
request for a regiment known, speaking French. Now, the Gen- 
eral didn't speak French, so turning to one of his staff he said^ 
''Who is this fellow, and what the devil does he want?'' Fortu- 
nately this staff officer did speak French and had met the Count 
at army headquarters, and informed the General what was 
wanted. The General then told the aide ''to take the Fourth 
Regiment and go see where he placed them then come back and 
report to him." Now here comes the question that has puzzled 
some who have known these facts, but remains unanswered to 
this day : Did the Count purposely lead the I^'ourth Regiment in 
an ambuscade to sacrifice them. The regiment, with the Eleventh 
Pennsylvania Reserves, were sacrified right there. What were 
not killed or wounded were captured and remained prisoners of 
war for forty-two days. The Count was also captured, but just 
as soon as the Johnnies found what kind of a bird they had they 
paroled him and sent him back, and he was not seen w^ith our 
army again during the entire w'ar. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



Appendix F. 



407 



Charge and Death of Lieutenant Harry B. Hidden, First New 

York Cavalry. 

One of the most brilliant cavalry exploits of the great Ameri- 
can war occurred during- these brushes with the enemy's rear 
guard. This was the charge of First Lieutenant Harry B. 
Hidden, of New York city, with a sergeant and twelve men of 
the First New York Cavalry. Kearny had ordered him to "move 
forward cautiously and feel the enemy's position." 

On Sunday, 9th of March, 1862, he fell in with the pickets of 
the enemy, a score in number, and drove them in, till finally he 
was suddenly surrounded by a hundred and fifty of the enemy. 
The alternative was to cut his way out or surrender at discretion. 
''Will you follow me?" said the unshrinking officer. "To the 
death!" was the unanimous reply; and through the Rebel ranks 
they hewed their way, turning- not to the right or left till they 
emerged from the forest at Sangster's Station, the enemy either 
fleeing or laying down their arms before them. 

After this daring action, and while making their way to the 
camp, with thirteen prisoners, one to each man. one of the 
"skulking assassins," who had laid down his arms, seized his 
musket and shot the retiring officer dead upon the spot. The 
ball entered the back near the top of the shoulder and passed out 
through the neck under the chin, severing numerous blood- 
vessels. Profuse bleeding soon closed the career of one of the 
most promising men of our army. 

General Kearny had stated that this charge has not been sur- 
passed in gallantry by any during the war. and it was the general 
theme of conversation among those cognizant of it in Wash- 
ington and Alexandria, as well as throughout the army. 

According to another account, Kearny, who saw the whole 
movement, declared it to be the most brilliant he had ever seen. 
and took each man by the hand on his return and complimented 
him on his braverv. 



408 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

Following is a complete list of the men who were with Lieu- 
tenant Hidden, taken from the report of Captain J. K. Stearns, 
commanding the squadron : 

Corporal E. Lewis, Company H, since promoted to be sergeant. 

Private Chas. P. Ives, Company H, promoted to be corporal. 

Private Robert C. Clark, Company H, promoted to be cor- 
poral. 

Private Albert H. Van Saun, Company A, promoted to be 
corporal. 

Private Michael O'Xeil, Company H. 

Private James Lynch, Company H. 

Private Cornelius Riley, Company H. 

Private Hugh McSauley, Company H. 

Private Herman Cameron, Company H. 

Private John Cameron, Company H. 

Private Martin Murray, Company H. 

Private John Bogert, Company H. 

Private William Simonson. Company A. 

Private Chester C. Clark, Company A. 

Private John Nugent, Company A. 

Private John R. Wilson, Company A. 

Private Henry Wiggins, Company A. 

Private Wilson alone captured three prisoners, compelling 
them to lay down their arms and accompany him from the field. 

The above report I have taken wholly from the personal and 
military history of General Kearny, by General J. Watts De 
Pcyster, to accompany the picture of the death of Lieutenant 
Hidden so kindly loaned, especially for this publication, by the 
New York Historical Association. 

W. Frank Gaul. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. m 



Appendix G. 



C. A. Pettie's Account of Kearny's Charge on the 
Confederate Picket. 

While in camp at Fairfax Theological Seminary Campus, 
General Kearny sent J. Snow and myself out on scout to locate 
the rebel picket line at or near Fairfax Courthouse. We started 
quite early (cannot recall the date) in the morning, felt our 
way out and about 3 P. M. came in sight of some small build- 
ings behind which were a party of rebel cavalry, dismounted, 
gathered about small fires. While we were watching this party 
and the different approaches, we discovered horsemen in the dis- 
tance. On coming up they proved to be General Kearny, an 
aide and an orderly, and when we met, ordered us to report to 
him what we had learned. Told him a body of cavalry was 
dismounted, apparently boiling coffee. 

The General, regardless of danger and great odds, instantly 
headed his horse in the direction of the buildings, followed by 
his aide and orderly and ourselves (Snow and Pettie). When 
we came out from cover of the woods the rebels, no doubt think- 
ing we were part of a skirmish line, rushed for their horses, 
mounted and galloped away, the General, his aide and orderly 
chasing them for a short distance. We (Snow and Pettie) 
waited a few minutes while the General apparently examined 
the conditions about the buildings. 



4iO FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



Appendix H. 



Account of Surrender of Petersburg, by James Gallagher, Com= 
pany K, Tenth Regiment, N. J. Volunteers. 

The morning of April 2d, 1865, I was on the skirmish line in 
front of Petersburg. As soon as daylight broke I observed a flag 
being waved from the Confederate breastworks. While watch- 
ing the flag, Major Fay, of the Fortieth New Jersey, came out to 
the line and said to me, "Boy, what color is that flag?" I replied 
that it was white. He then gave the command to fall in, but 
before giving the order he used his field-glasses to make sure. 
The line advanced to what they told us was the Halifax road. 
When we arrived we found a gentleman standing on the breast- 
works with a white pillowcase tied on a pole. He stated he 
wanted to surrender Petersburg to save it from being destroyed, 
as the Confederate troops had all retreated through the night. 
He stated he was Mayor of Petersburg. The Major then sent 
word to commanding general not to open fire as the Mayor had 
surrendered the town. The Mayor and Major Fay then got 
into a carriage and pushed the white flag out of the back win- 
dow. A colored man was on the box. He started and we all 
fell in behind and proceeded on the Halifax road until we came 
to some woods where the road ran on both sides. It looked to 
me like a picnic ground. We stayed there a short time, when 
we were ordered to fall in ; then our chase commenced after Lee. 



FIRST NBJV JERSEY BRIGADE. 411 



Appendix I. 



Notes from the Life of Major David Hatfield. 

Newark, N. J., Oct. 21st, 1910. 

Born, October 20th, 1830. Died at Elizabeth, N. J., July 
30th, 1862, from wounds received in action at Gaines' Mill, Va., 
June 27th, 1862. 

Born in Elizabeth, his ancestors being- among the first settlers 
there in 1638, since which time they were always ready and will- 
ing to give of their time and energy for the advancement of 
State and country, serving in the Revolutionary War, the War 
of 181 2, and he himself a private in Company G, Tenth In- 
fantry, during the Mexican War. 

Governor Olden, who was then the Governor of the State, 
said that the Major was the first man of the State to enroll his 
name for the volunteer service for three years, or during the 
war. The proclamation of President Lincoln reached Eliza- 
beth, N. J., at 7 A. M., and by 8 A. M., Mr. Hatfield had en- 
rolled several, with his own name at the head of the list. 

On May i6th, 1861, while marching to the station to take the 
train for Trenton, the company was halted in front of No. 165 
Broad street, when a sword and sash was presented to Captam 
Hatfield by the citizens of Elizabeth by Mr. C. C. Suydam. 
On presenting the sword Mr. Suydam said: "Captain David 
Hatfield, your fellow-citizens are desirous, upon this, the eve of 
your departure for service in your country's great and just cause, 
to present you with some substantial token of their appreciation 
and high esteem. In furtherance of this object they have caused 
to l3e prepared this sword and this sash, and they request, 
through me. your acceptance of the same. We are confident, 
sir. that in bestowing this sword upon you we are intrusting it 
to no unwilling or doubtful hand, and that wherever glory and 
honor are to be achieved, there will the name of David Hatfield 
be enrolled. We have no fear for the safety of our glorious 



412 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

Stars and Stripes when committed to your care. I need scarcely 
say to you, sir, that in all your wanderings, in the support of 
that flag, wheresoever you may go, whatsoever you may do, 
amid your privations and hardships and amid your triumphs, 
those whom you leave behind here will, with anxious interest, 
watch your career, and be most ready to bestow upon you your 
full measure of approbation and reward. 

"Accept then these, sir, as an earnest of the full confidence 
and esteem of your fellow-citizens of Elizabeth, both for your- 
self and your noble command." 

Captain Hatfield seemed much affected on receiving this token 
of regard, and said in response, that he felt that he was going 
forth to battle in the cause of Divine Right, and that so long as 
he had a right hand to hold it he would wield it in defense of 
his country. He touchingly requested that when those present 
knelt at the family altar they would remember his command. 
When they gathered in the Sanctuary they would see vacant 
seats, and asked to be remembered there, as also in the Sabbath 
School. After expressing gratitude tO' his friends and neigh- 
bors he bade them farewell and the company then marched on. — 
(Extract from Letter.) 

Company A, First Regiment Volunteer Infantry left Eliza- 
beth May i6th, 1861, for Trenton, N. J., arriving there at 1 145 
P. M. We were received by one of the finest companies with 
a full band and were escorted through the main street to the 
State House, thence to the arsenal. May 17th left the arsenal 
and pitched camp just opposite the State prison. I am superin- 
tending the pitching of tents, and by night expect the men all in 
camp with guns, knapsacks, equipments, &c.. all ready for house- 
keeping in the field. Headquarters at Trenton House. 

Camp Olden, May 26th (Sunday). Rev. Proudfoot. of Xew 
Brunswick, Chaplain of the Second Regiment, tendered his ser- 
vices, which were accepted by me. He preached a good sermon 
(text, Exodus, 14th Chapter), "Speak to the people that they go 
forward." In the afternoon a sermon from the same text by a 
Trenton pastor ; f ullv one thousand present. I offered the prayer 
at both services. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 413 

Health good. George Halstead, my valet, has decided to go 
home; I have in his place a smart colored youth, twenty-one 
years of age. Our colonel was thrown from his horse this A. M. 
He is as brave as a lion. 

May 27th. Weighed down with the care and responsibility .)f 
furnishing comfort for my command. Our three regiments re- 
viewed by the Governor on Friday; expect to move nn to Wash- 
ington. 

Camp Monmouth, June 30th (Washington, D. C). The 
enemy lies within a few miles of us. Our camp ground is owned 
by a slave owner; has some thirty slaves. The house in which 
he lives is within a stone's throw of our camp. 

Camp Monmouth, July 2d. Crossed over into Virginia, three 
miles beyond Arlington Heights, to see the troops. They were 
well. The enemy is but a short distance away. We expect sharp 
fighting in a few days. I am happy to report that we are ail 
ready and willing to fight. Leaving the camp, rode on to 
Alexandria. A more desolate place I do not wish to see. The 
men have gone to join the Secession Army. As I rode through 
the streets I noticed my presence to be obnoxious to the people. 
Stopped at the house where Ellsworth fell three stories from the 
roof which formerly flew the secession flag, but which now floats 
the beautiful Stars and Stripes. Took my horse on a small 
steamer and returned to Washington. 

Camp Monmouth, July 3d. This afternoon our three Xew 
Jersey Regiments were reviewed by the President. At 3 o'clock 
P. M. we left our encampment for the White House, a distance 
of two miles; passed in review^ before the President. .Mr. 
Lincoln looked well and pleasant ; the regiments looked well and 
marched fine, but I am happy to say that the First Regiment 
was the largest one out by odds and their marching the best. 

We have 75.000 noble troops here not pressed into service, 
but volunteers, eager and ready for the fight. Why the Rebels 
hold back is a mystery, unless they are waiting for us to advance. 
They are carrying on an Indian warfare, lying in the bushes 
shooting off our pickets : two can play the same game. 

Camp Monmouth, July 6th. Between eleven and twelve P. M. 
last night, camp was thrown into great excitement by the firnig 

27 F B 



414 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

of a number of guns. The long roll was beat upon the drums 
and the battalion formed in short order. It turned out to be a 
shot from one of our sentries at a man who refused to answer 
when hailed. He made off as fast as his legs could carr}^ him. 
After being out one hour, we returned to quarters to sleep, with 
one eye open. Such is a soldier's life. 

July /th. Was introduced to President Lincoln. Was soon 
convinced that he was a very plain man and a perfect gentleman. 
Witnessed the firing of a battery attached to Governor Sprague's 
Rhode Island Regiment. They threw bombs down. the Potomac 
a distance of four miles. Our chaplain preached in the open 
woods from the 42d Psalm, text, "More Hope in God." 

Weather very hot; can wring our shirts out every day. One 
week ago sent a bundle of clothes to a colored woman to be 
washed; they have not been returned. We do not live as pleas- 
antly here as at Camp Olden ; however, we can bear all necessary 
hardship for the sake of our country. 

July loth. Still in camp expecting orders to move across the 
river into Virginia. Yesterday I visited both houses of Congress 
and listened to a part of two secession speeches, which made my 
blood boil ; the one in the Senate by Mr. Johnson, of Tennessee, 
and the other in the House by Mr. Vallandigham, of Ohio. 
Vallandigham was burned in effigy a day or two ago. while 
visiting one of the Ohio camps, and had to leave in a hurry for 
fear of being burned himself. 

Last night our regiment was turned out twice on false alarms. 
The regiment was formed in five minutes after the drum beat. 
Have just received orders from General ]\Iansfield to act as 
officer of the day. 

\n the woods near Roache's Mill, July 13th. General Mans- 
field on the nth instant ordered my command to cross the river, 
and we are now in the woods with axes, at work making a clear- 
ing to watch the enemy. 

Bailey's Cross Roads, July 15th. Orders received to guard the 
road from Arlington Alills to Bailey's Cross Roads, a distance of 
five miles. Rode out the Vienna road three miles to Falls 
Church, where the Ohio troops were fired upon by a masked 
battcrv and a number killed. 



FIRST NEJV JERSEY BRIGADE. 415 

Vienna, July i8th. After being- forty-eight hours at l^.ailey's 
Cross Roads, was ordered to return to camp, expecting to ha\ e a 
good rest, but at 3 130 A. AI. was called and ordered to march 
at 6 A. M. for Vienna, a distance of thirteen miles, to occupy the 
place or go forward if necessary to join issue with the rebels. 
We took the town without any loss of life, and Fairfax Court 
House yesterday without the firing of a gun. The rebels were 
drawn up in line of battle, but when they saw our forces thev 
took to their heels and ran away. Our troops burned and de- 
stroyed Germantown, about two miles from the Court House, a 
secession hole laid in ashes. My quarters are at the foot of the 
hill where stood the masked battery that played such sad havoc 
among the Ohio boys. 

Arlington Heights, July 23d, 1861. I will now give you a 
short history from Sabbath morning last. At about eight o'clock 
in the moirning we received orders from General Runyon to 
march immediately to Centreville, with the First and Second 
Regiments, to join General McDowell's division, who had al- 
readv opened fire upon the enemy. We commenced making 
preparations at once, and by noon we were on our way. When 
within about four miles of Centreville we met a number of citi- 
zens and soldiers who gave us conflicting reports of the battle 
then raging. Colonel Montgomery, \yishing to learn all he could 
from the field of action, sent me forward to gather information. 
I put spurs to my horse and went forward. I had not gone more 
than a half mile when I saw United States regulars, mounted 
citizens, soldiers and baggage wagons coming thundering down 
the hills. I rode' on a little further and found that they were 
coming thicker and faster, and a more frantic set of people I never 
saw. Tliere seemed to be a perfectly wild panic among them. 
Some of them were bareheaded, and the hair standing on their 
heads. Shovels, spades, axes, bags of oats, boxes of hard bread- 
in short, all kinds of army stores — were flying out of the wagons. 
The scene was fearful to contemplate, for everything was in the 
wildest disorder. A gentleman came running up to me and lifting 
np both hands, exclaimed, "For God's sake stop them, there is no 
cause for tWs panic." I turned my horse and gave him the spurs 
and went flying back to the right of our regiment. 



416 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

On my arrival I told Colonel Montgomery to draw up the 
lines across the road in order to stop their wild retreat, which 
he did immediately, and such a job as we had to stop those frantic 
men. We were compelled to draw our swords and pistols and 
also to charge bayonet on them, and in some instances we had 
to threaten to shoot them before they would turn back, not only 
the soldiers but the officers as well, and when they found that we 
were determined to stop them, some of them jumped from their 
horses, others who were on foot threw away their guns and over- 
coats, and started across the fields and through the woods. Some 
of them we headed off and brought them back. After a long 
and tedious struggle we arrived at Centreville just at dark. 
Long before we arrived at Centreville we could hear the cannon 
roaring, but now it has ceased. When we entered Centreville 
the moon was shining brightly, but clouds soon gathered over llie 
sky, and it became quite dark. We groped our way along into 
a large field and halted the men until we could find some general 
officer to learn what disposition was to made of us. Otir Colonel 
rode away to General McDowell's quarters and had a short 
interview with him. He told him to take the Second Regiment 
with him and get as good a position as he could for the night, 
but when the Colonel came to look for Colonel McLean and his 
regiment he found that thev were missing. On inquiry he learned 
that they had marched almost to Centreville. when Colonel Mc- 
Lean showed the white feather and swore that he was not going 
to have his men killed. So he wheeled his regiment about and 
started back towards Vienna. He marched back two or three 
miles to a point near Germantown and there halted for the night. 

Our Colonel came back and said. "We must seek a place not so 
much exposed to the enemy in case they should be in condition 
to pursue us," so we moved to the lo\ver end of the village just 
beyond a small church, which was filled with wounded and dying, 
in order to protect them in case of an attack. 

Colonel Montgomery and myself rode away to see General 
McDowell and get further information and instructions. After 
riding about a mile we found the camp-fires all d}-ing out and the 
General could not be found. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 417 

We went on a little further and found two or three regiments 
drawn up in line ready to move off. We rode up to the right of 
the Ijne and found one of the colonels and asked him what he 
was doing. He said that he was retreating to Fairfax Court 
House. I said to him, "Have you official orders to that effect ?" 
He said he had, so we watered our horses at a brook near by and 
started back for our regiment. 

Immediately on our arrival we formed our men in line and 
marched in retreat, feeling that it was rather unsafe to attempt to 
hold Centreville alone. We felt very much worried on leaving 
so many wounded to the mercy of the rebels, but could do no 
better. There was but one surgeon to take care of four or five 
houses full of wounded. Our own surgeon went in to help what 
little time we were there, and amputated some fourteen legs, be- 
sides a number of arms and fingers, and also extracted a number 
of balls. There was still a great deal of work to be done and 
nobody to do it, for the surgeon who was there said that he would 
not stay there alone all night, and fall into the hands of the 
rebels, so our own surgeon volunteered to stay with him, and we 
are very much afraid that he has been captured by the rebels. 
We journeyed on and overtook the retreating column about two 
miles out of Centreville, and covered their retreat as far as Fair- 
fax Court House. A short distance beyond this we turned off 
toward Arlington Heights while many others went on to Alex- 
andria. 

We arrived at the Heights goon after noon, almost dead with 
exhaustion. We marched from Simday until Monday afternoon, 
a distance of forty miles, without sleep or rest, and no refresh- 
ment except dry bread and water. I sat in my saddle for thirty 
hours and I became so exhausted that sometimes I laid my head 
upon the neck- of my horse and dropped into a doze, but my poor 
horse suffered more than I did, for he had not a mouthful to eat 
except a few corn-leaves. He looks as though he had been drawn 
through a not-hole, and his back is chafed in a number of spots, 
and a number of lumps on his back also, and, to crown it all, it 
rained all day on Monday. This is what they call a forced 
march ; for twenty-five miles we were not allowed to halt. 



418 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

With regard to the battle more can be learned from the New 
York papers than I can tell you. However, I will say this, that 
the retreat was a disgraceful one, the tettle was fearful, and a 
very large number was killed and wounded on both sides. I 
suppose that it will be some time before we go forward again,, 
as many of the regiments have to be re-organized and the army 
re-enforced. 

July 24th. My heart was gladdened at the sight of David 
Richardson ; he stayed all night with me. This morning he ac- 
companied me to Arlington Mills, four miles distant. 

Camp Princeton, near Arlington Heights, July 27th ( Satur- 
day). Last night we were turned out at half-past twelve, but 
the alarm was false. We fear an attack of the rel^els who are 
but a short distance from us. I do not anticipate any such thing. 
We have two large forts here, Fort Runyon and Fort Albany, 
besides 50,000 troops. The rebels cannot drive us across the 
river into Washington. 

Camp Princeton, August 4th. After ten days of comparative 
quietness, our orders are to march to a place called Cloud's Mills, 
about eight miles from here and four miles beyond Alexandria. 
The First. Second and Third Regiments (New Jersey troops), 
together with one company of artillery. Green Battery, and one 
company of cavalry, are to form a brigade under General Kearny 
We are all to meet at Coud's Mills. This time we will be in the 
advance, instead of the reserve, and perhaps ere long we will 
smell gimpowder. 

August 5th. In front of my quarters the Parade Ground 
is filled with wagons, ready to move us. They have just driven 
in. We are to have thirty-five wagons. 

Edge Hill, Va., August 6th. W^e left Camp Princeton yester- 
day morning about 10 o'clock and arrived here about dusk. We 
are now stationed on the outposts, there being no regiments 
beyond us. Should there be any fighting, we must take a hand in 
it, but it is my opinion that there will be nothing done but scout- 
ing for a month to come, but in this I may be mistaken. 

This morning at half after three, the long roll was beat upon 
the drums, when the regiment was immediately formed into 
line of battle. After waiting alx)ut an hour it began to be good 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 419 

daylight and no rebels to be seen, so we retired to our quarter^ 
again. 

Edge Hill, August 12th, 1861. Just received orders fron? 
General Kearny to send all the men that I can spare down to the 
Second Regiment to assist in getting their wagons up the hill. 
and tO' send two companies down on the plain below to bivouac 
for the night. 

Seminary Bldgs., three miles west of Alexandria, August 
25th, 1861. Yesterday afternoon a captain of the Twenty-fifth 
New York, stationed near Bailey's Crossing, wished to go out 
beyond the pickets, notwithstanding the warnings of the pickets 
to the contrary. So two of the cavalry belonging to our Brigade 
who were on picket duty at the Crossing volunteered tO' go with 
him. They had ridden but a short distance towards Falls Church 
when they were fired upon by the rebel pickets from the woods, 
and one of the cavalrymen was shot through the head and drop- 
ped dead from his saddle. The captain was taken prisoner. The 
other cavalryman returned leading the horse with an empty sad- 
dle behind him. A flag of truce was sent up this morning and the 
body recovered. This afternoon it was buried just below the 
camp. 

August 27th, 6 : 45 A. M. Just returned from- a three hours' 
tour. This morning we were turned out at half after three, 
ordered to take twO' companies and march to the camp of the 
Third Regiment in order tO' assist them in case of an attack. 
Most of the regiment had gone out towards Bailey's Cross Roads. 
We had to trail through about half a mile of woods. I had 
to walk also as I had given a pass to my darkey reading thus (he 
being in the habit of getting drunk) : "Pass James Hollis, 
colored, to Alexandria and return. Should he be found drunk, 
please confine himi in the slave pen." 

Last night General Kearny sent out a battalion scouting. They 
went a little too far and fell in with the rebel cavalry, when the}- 
exchanged shots. 

Seminary Hill, August 30th, 1861. One thousand more men 
have arrived fromi New Jersey. We are still having lively times 
at the Cross Roads. A number of men were shot to-day on both 
sides ; none of our Brigade, however, was killed. The First Regi- 



420 FIRST NBW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

ment was relieved for two or three days, but this afternooia Gen- 
eral Kearny sent an order for two companies to g-o up and join 
Colonel McLean, wlio had reHeved us. He is afraid to sta^- 
there alone. 

August 31st. Our men are all on duty cutting timber and 
building- a fort to be caled Fort Taylor, after the Colonel of the 
Third Regiment. Orders this morning- show that our Brigade 
with one other has been formed into a division under the com- 
mand of General Franklin. 

Seminary Hill, September 4th, 1861. General McClellan is 
getting the Army of "the Potomac in fine condition ; the strictest 
discipline is enforced in all its departments, ^^'e are building- 
two large fortifications, besides a long line of breastworks. 

City Council Chamber, Alexandria, Va., August 31st. So 
soon as I returned from Alexandria this afternoon the sad in- 
telligence struck my ear that some of the Xew Jersey Brigade 
had fallen at the Cross Roads. I learned that two were dead 
and four wounded. The cause of this was daring rashness on 
the part of Colonel Taylor. He started out this morning with 
a party of forty and went by the Cross Roads, notwithstanding 
he was warned by a guide at the crossing not to go, as a large 
party of rebels was just a little beyond, concealed, ready to 
pounce upon them. An accident brought the rebels to their feet 
(one of the party's muskets went off accidentally), and then the 
firing began. Colonel Taylor popped one over. However, he 
had no business there, from the fact that McClellan had forbidden 
our troops to provoke an attack, as we ^^•ere not quite ready. 

City Council Chamber, September 6th. Yesterday it rained 
all day. To-day it is very dull and lowering. No movement 
has yet been made on either side, but may be expected at any 
moment. September 7th. jMajor Hexamers' battery arrived 
here yesterday. They are attached to our Brigade. 

Seminary Hill, October i8th. Last night the Sergeant-Major 
of the Fourth New Jersey was shot dead by one of our own 
pickets. The picket challenged him at a distance of sixty yards 
with no answer to the challenge, and the picket leveled his mus- 
ket and shot him through the neck. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 421 

Seminary Hill, October 24th. Orders received to take part of 
the First Regiment and march to a place called Little River Pike, 
a distance of seven miles and reconnoiter the place. Did not see 
a sign of the enemy. We arrived home at nine o'clock P. M. 

Seminary Hill, November 14th, 1861. Grand review to-day 
by General McClellan, 12,000 troops on the field. We were 
under arms from ten o'clock in the morning until 3 130 P. M. 
General Kearny tells me that his ambition is to have the best 
brigade in the sei-vice. 

Seminary Hill, November 20th, 1861. This has been a busy 
day with us and we had one of the grandest reviews that this 
country has ever seen, 60,000 troops, composed of infantry, 
cavalry and artillery. Mr. Lincoln and lady were there, also 
Secretary Chase. Being officer of the day I did not see it. 
•General Kearny sent for me in the morning and told me that 
there might be an attack from the enemy during the review, 
and, therefore, I must take my regiment with eight additional 
companies, and go to the outposts, that in case of an attack I 
must fight it out, and that the balance of the Brigade would 
join me as soon as posible. Fortunately the day passed off 
quietly, and we returned to camp at 6:15 in the evening. After 
the review General Kearny rode out to Edsall's Hill, where I 
was stationed to examine the picket line. After riding around 
and visiting them, he and I rode intO' camp together. 

Seminary Hill, November 22d, 1861. Our Brigade is on the 
advance, in fact nearly the whole Ai-my of the Potomac is on 
the advance. We form one continuous line from Leesburgh to 
Mt. Vernon, a distance of twenty miles. Our position is just in 
front of Alexandria, a city which the rebels would very much 
like to occupy, but as they are not good looking they can't come 
in. Our pickets are out six miles in advance of the regiment. 
Now and then the men go out foraging for grain, but the rebels 
are too sharp for them and they get cut off before they are 
aware of it. A few days ago a party of men near Vienna were 
gathering corn ; they stacked their guns and went some distance 
in advance of them, when some rebel cavalry came down sud- 
denly upon them and got between them and their muskets, and 
it was all up with them. The rascals have the advantage of 



422 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

knowing the country better than we do, and that is a very great 
advantage. 

Seminary Hill, December 3d, 1861. The rebels captured fif- 
teen of our men at the skirmish at Annandale, while we captured 
but five of theirs. Two of our men were killed. 

Orders have come to move within a half hour. We take the 
cars for Burke's Station on the Orange and Alexandria R. R. 

Seminary Hill, December 5th, 1861. Last night at twelve 
o'clock. Colonel Taylor, of the Third New Jersey, with a detach- 
ment of fifty men, had a brush with a party of rebel cavalry be- 
yond Springfield. They went out the day before and lay in 
ambush for them, as they were known to pass that way in the 
night. They divided oft' into three parties ; the first was ordered 
to let the rebels pass, in case they came down the road. By and 
bye they came along, and when opposite the second party they 
blazed away at them, when they immediately turned to retreat, 
and slap went another volley into them from the first party, 
separating them in all directions. Eight of them were seen to 
fall from their saddles, two horses were killed, and two of them 
brought into camp. One orderly Sergeant was shot in the head. 
Colonel Taylor had one man killed and three wounded. The 
man killed was at Edsal's Hill with the pickets this noon. Col- 
onel McAllister was ordered to take two companies out at five 
o'clock this morning in order to strengthen the regular pickets, 
as the rebels were getting quite saucy and impudent. A few 
days ago some of Blenker's Dutchmen allowed the rebel scouts 
to pass right by them, and even saluted them supposing them to 
be our own troops. As soon as the rebels had passed, they 
turned about and ordered the Dutchmen to shoulder arms and 
forward march for the Court House, to the very great chagrin • 
of poor Germany. 

Seminary Hill, December 7th. First Brigade New Jersey 
with two others reviewed by Governor Morgan. Marched out 
at I 130, reviewed at four o'clock. General Kearny still quite 
sick, but improving. Lieutenant Jackson, one of the General's 
aides, has gone over to the headquarters of General Franklin to be 
on his stafY. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 423- 

Sabbath morning, December 8th. Colonel Torbert and I in- 
spected every man's musket. Company A had the dirtiest. 
Company I, of Hoboken, had about the same. 

Seminary Hill, December 27th, 1861. Quite a skirmish at 
Drainsville. The rebels admit that they were whipped pretty 
badly. Another good skirmish took place at the left, in which 
we were successful. The First Brigade commands the centre of 
the army. 

Seminary Hill, January i6th, 1862. Miss Dix, the soldier's 
friend, just drove up to my tent and asked to see Major Hatfield. 
I stepped out of my tent and into her wagon, which was very . 
much akin tO' an ambulance. She said, "Here is a bundle for 
you from the Ladies' Aid Society of New Brunswick. I have 
also a bundle of caps and mittens for the two companies from 
New Brunswick and some articles for the hospital. What shall 
I do with them?" I told her that I would send for Doctor Gor- 
don, Captain Way and Captain Fouratt, and they would see 
that they were properly distributed. My card read "For Major 
Hatfield from the Ladies' Aid Society," and contained a sleeping 
gown wadded with cotton. God bless the ladies. 

vSeminary Hill, January 26th (Sabbath). Rev. Dr. Camp, of 
the Fourth New Jersey, preached in the Chapel a good practical 
sermon. Dr. Aikman has just called at my tent tO' know if I 
had a Bible, as he wished to select a text. He selected the 26th 
verse of the ninth chapter of ist Corinthians. 

Hall's Cross Roads, March 9th, 1862. We have sent out scouts 
to reach Centreville, which is eight miles distant. We have a 
report this morning that the Grand Army of the Potomac is 
moving forward; look out for some big fighting soon. The 
sight of the enemy does not frighten our men. They seem 
eager for the fight. Our division is concentrating at Fairfax 
Court House in order to move toward Fredericksburg. 

Fairfax Court House, March nth, 1862. This morning our 
regiment was ordered to leave Centreville and return to the 
Court House. When out of Centreville about a mile w^e met 
General McClellan. Our regiment was drawn up and came to a 
present. As the General passed, cheer after cheer rent the air. 
The General took off his hat and smiled very pleasantly. Gen- 



424 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

eral Franklin was with him. To-night we are lying in a large 
field surrounded by thousands of troops. Since Centreville and 
Manassas have been evacuated I should not be surprised if the 
whole program would be changed. I thought that we must fight, 
but the rebels have run. At Centreville there were quite a num- 
ber of fortifications ; on one I discovered a locomotive pipe, and 
in the distance it looked like a heavy gun. All their log and 
board huts were left standing. Centreville looks like a city of 
shanties. We have a rebel flag and an orderly sergeant belong- 
ing to a Louisiana regiment. We also found a black flag float- 
ing, but it was soon torn down. I wish to say that the New 
Jersey Brigade have shown themselves true blues. 

Seminary Hill, March i6th, 1862. In answer to a letter that 
had been received by the Major, he says: "You speak in your 
letter against General McClellan and ]\lr. Lincoln. The people 
that speak against them should have gags placed in their mouths. 
The Army of the Potomac has unbounded confidence in them. 
The people at home know but little about the management of a 
vast army. Perhaps when they read General McClellan's ad- 
dress to the soldiers at the Court House they will feel differently. 
I saw a skull of a New York Fire Zouave found in a rebel 
cabin at Manassas. It had on it the following inscription, "This 
is a skull of a New York Fire Zouave, killed at the battle of 
Bull Run Plains, July 21st, 1861. 'Sis Semper Tyrannis" (Thus 
may it always be with Tyrants)," the motto of the Virginians. 
We have a young contraband here from an Alexandria regi- 
ment, who says that the rebels actually sawed the skulls of our 
men in two and used them as drinking cups. He also says that 
they boiled the meat off their bones and sent them South as 
trophies. Some made finger rings out of them and wore them 
Tf these things do not make abolitionists, I do not know what 
will. Our motto, "Death to the Traitors." 

Seminary Hill, March 22d, 1862. Our division is to l3e the last 
one to leave Alexandria; we will not get oft' before Monday. 
It is a vast job to transport such a large army. There seems to 
be no end to the artillery and cavalry. 

General McClellan is to go down the river with i»ur division. 
General McDowell's army of which we form a part takes the 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 425 

centre, which, to use a figurative expression, will be a boiling pot 
in an engagement. 

On board the Steamer Hero, three miles below Alexandria, 
lo A. M., Friday, April i8th, 1862. Left the wharf at 5 P. M. 
and dropped three miles down the stream, where w^e anchored 
for the night. We are waiting for a number of schooners loaded 
with horses and artillery which we are to take in tow. Our 
Brigade is loaded on four steamers, viz., First Regiment, Steamer 
Hero; Second Regiment, General Kearny and staff. Steamer 
Elm City ; Third Regiment, Steamer John A. Warner ; Fourth 
Regiment! Steamer Arrowsmith. We have in our fleet a nun?- 
ber of ocean steamers, one new one, the Constitution, a Pacific 
mail steamship. We have also the Ocean Queen and S. R. 
Spaulding. 12 : 45, we have just gotten under way, two large 
schooners in tow. i : 15 P- M. we are passing'Fort Washmgton 
on the Maryland shore, nearly opposite Mount Vernon. The 
band at the fort is discoursing sweet music as we pass by, soldiers 
on the rampart are cheering us loudly, our boys return it heartily. 
1 : 30 P. M. all eyes are turned to the home and tomb of George 
Washington, while our band is playing a solemn dirge. ^ly 
heart swells and the tears press to my eyes while the thought 
rolls over my mind, it is a holy cause in which I am engaged. 
and no doubt if Washington were here his heart would be en- 
listed for the defense of that Union for which he so noblv 
fought and won. But he sleeps, and it is for us to preserve what 
he gained for us, a free, united and happy people. 

Six miles off Yorktown. Sabbath morning, April 20th, 1862. 
9 A. M. We weighed anchor this morning at six o'clock, and 
steamed into the mouth of the Pequosin river. Our fleet is all 
here at anchor. We are but six miles from Yorktown, almost 
within gunshot of the enemy. We expect to land under fire. U 
so, there will be warm work. The enemy keeps up more or less 
firincr all the time. I do not know the number of our army here. 
but tt is upward of 200,000. H the enemy stands, it will be an 

awful fight. 
■ The thing was done in a hurry : we then steamed out ot the 
Pequosin river into Pequosin bay. distance of two miles, where 
we anchored and are now lying. I suppose that by to-morrmv 



426 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

nig-ht our whole division will be on its way somewhere, ]>ut just 
where I am not able to say to-night, but in all probability we 
shall go to North Carolina, land and march inland to cut off the 
retreating rebels, if possible. It is greatly to be deplored that 
we did not trap them at Yorktown, which would in all probability 
have ended the war ; but where the end is now God only knows 
unless we shall be successful in cutting off their retreat. If this 
cannot be done we must spend our summer in the South. Nfi 
doubt, if General McClellan had had his own way about the mat- 
ter the whole army at Yorktown would have been captured. I 
learn this afternoon that General McClellan left Alexandria with 
the distinct understanding that General McDowell's Corps 
D'Armee was to follow him', and get in behind Gloucester and 
cut off the retreat of the rebels while General McClellan shelled 
them out of Yorktown, when they would have been compelled to 
surrender; but instead of this, on his arrival here, he was in- 
formed that he could not have General McDowell's Corps 
D'Armee, as he had troops enough, but that General McDowell 
must take the line of the Orange-Alexandria railroad, and move 
on toward Fredericksburg in order to prevent the rebels from 
returning towards Washington. 

When General McClellan heard this he immediately tele- 
graphed to Mr. Stanton that he must have General Franklin's 
division. Mr. Stanton refused, when Mr. Lincoln then stepped in 
and said that he must have them, and that settled the matter. 
At this time, we were at Coltbell's Station, on the banks of 
Cedar Run. General McClellan had concluded to draw off two 
divisions from the left of his line and unite them .with ours for 
the proposed expedition in the rear of Gloucester, but upon ex- 
amination he found that the rebels had some 30.000 troops in 
front of his left, which made it impossible for him to do it. It 
seems that the rebels had anticipated this movement by throwing 
these troops on his left line. He then resolved to draw off one 
division and unite it with ours, but before this could be accom- 
plished the bird had flown, and the General's plans frustrated. 
No doubt many of the curs in the North will 1>e barking at 
McClellan's heels for letting the enemy slip from' him. but to 
such let me sav that GentM-al McClellan is not to blame, tor his 



FIRST NEIV JERSEY BRIGADE. 427 

plans were laid admirably, and could- his plans have been carried 
out the traitors would have been captured in spite of everything. 
The responsibility rests with Mr. Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary 
of War, and not with General McClellan. We have ubnounded 
-confidence in him, and believe him to be a wise and skillful Gen- 
•eral and the right man in the right place. Virginia is now virtu- 
ally ours, and in a few days there will not be a rebel soldier on 
lier soil, but the Cotton States are yet to be brought to terms, 
and do doubt this will be a work of time, but the thing must and 
Avill be done. Let us wait patiently. 

On board the Hero off York Point, April 26th, 1862, 9:30 
P. M. We left Hampton Roads with a schooner in tow at i P. 
M. Arrived here at 5 P. M. As we arrived, quite a number of 
wounded were brought in from the outposts. The enemy keeps 
up a constant cross fire, but the great battle is yet to come. 

Pequosin Bay, Va., May 4th, 1862. It is Sabbath morning, 
and I again sit down to write, but while I write I suppose that 
you are pondering over the startling news of the evacuation of 
Yorktown. It was sudden, but not altogether unexpected. It 
was but a few moments after I closed my letter this morning 
that the tidings broke on my ears that the rebels had run from 
Yorktown, leaving all their heavy guns behind, and large quan- 
tities of stores. In about an hour after we received the news 
we had orders to embark immediately, and in two hours more 
our regiment, camp equipage, horses, etc., were on board the 
Hero. 

West Point, Va., May 8th, 1862, 5 :30 P. M. On Tuesday 
morning we received orders tO' leave Yorktown at 9 o'clock. At 
the appointed hour, the anchor was weighed, and at 10 o'clock 
we steamed up the York river to its head, which is at West 
Point. We arrived about the middle of the afternoon. One of 
our open boats began to throw a shell or two occasionally into 
the woods to feel for the rebels, but no response could be drawn 
from them. General Newton's Brigade was thrown forward 
into the woods, and soon heavy firing began along our lines. 
Four companies from each regiment throughout the division 
were detached for what is called a grand guard to be stationed 
at various places around the battlefield in order to watch the 



428 fIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

movements of the enemy. These were under the command (jf 
Colonel Torbert, so that it left six companies of our regiment 
in command of Colonel McAllister. Our regiment was ordered 
to take the right of Upton's battery and support it. 

At lo o'clock our battery began to open fire, the gunboats in 
the river did the same. The sight and sound were grand and 
awful, "bombs bursting in air, gave prcKjf tiirough the day that 
our flag was still there." The roar of musketry now became 
terrific, and the more so because of its being in a dense forest. 
Our lines were driven back a number of times in consefpience of 
superior numbers of the enemy and their knowledge of the 
country. Dead and wounded now^ began to be brought in out 
of the w^oods in numbers. T looked upon them with stoic in- 
difference, not because my heart was hard or unfeeling, but 
because I was determined not to be moved by anything until the 
enemy of my country were dri\en back and their victorv ours. 
Our regiment had been at the right of the battery but a short 
time when we were ordered to advance into the woods and sup- 
])ort the New York Thirty-first. Colonel Pratt of the Thirty- 
first suggested that two companies of our regiment be tiirown 
out to the right in order to prevent the enemy from turning our 
right flank. We moved along a line of fence running througli 
the woods; our forces had l)cen twice (h'iwn hack of the fenci.'. 
General Franklin sent word to us that that fence must be held. 
and hold it we did. The left of our regiment began to fall back 
by order of C(4onel McAllister to the fence, the right began lo 
do the same, wlicn T screamed out to them to stand fast and hold 
that hill. The Ijoys did not attempt to move back, but kept up 
the fire. The firing began to die away, and it was evident that 
the enemy was retreating. The fight lasted six hours. Our loss 
is about two hundred killed and wounded. 

On Thursday morning, at 3 :30, we were all under way again. 
At 4 o'clock we moved forward in search of the enemy, but 
found liini retreating. Al)out liall' a mile in advance of where 
we lay all night was a deep marshy swamp. On the opposite 
bank were the forsaken camp fires of the enemy. On our side 
of the swamp we discovered quite a number of our dead. 'I'he 
first man that we diseo\cred lav with his face in tlie mud: on 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 429 

tnrnino- him over we found that he had not only been shot but 
his throat cut. I saw with my own eyes a number of men that 
had been bayoneted after they w^ere shot. We moved along- the 
marsh, and the next that we saw was a corporal, who lay with 
his hand under his head; evidently he had lived some little time 
after being wounded. A little further on we found five all lying 
near together with their canteens beside them. A good story 
is told of General Kearny when in pursuit of the rebels from 
Yorktown to Williamsburg. His cavalry did not move fast 
enough to suit him. and he began to swear at them, saying that 
his old Jersey Brigade could go faster on foot than they when 
on horseback. Our general was in a hurry and excited. Our 
cavalry are out this morning, and we may move at any moment. 
We are now within thirty-five miles of Richmond. Our division 
is in the advance and have been for three days. 

White House, New Kent County, Va., May 13th, 1862. At 
7 o'clock we received orders to move immediately, and at 8 
o'clock we are in motion. We marched to Cumberland, thence 
to the White House, where the railroad crosses the river, the 
bridge as usual burned by the rebels. The farm on which we are 
stopping belongs to the second son of General Lee. It consists 
of 6,000 acres. It is now twenty minutes to eleven and we have 
orders to march at 3 A. M. We must turn out at two o'clock. 
A rebel flag of truce comes in, brought by Lieutenant Beine, 
aide on the staff of General Stewart. He came within our lines 
to get a lady living near the Court House. The officer was 
detained all night, and the next day I had quite a talk with him. 
He seemed full of fight. 

White House, May 14th, 1862. One thousand five hundred 
prisoners came in and gave themselves up to General Franklin. 
It seems that they were concealed in the woods, and on Tuesday 
night our two regiments, First and Second, with one battery, 
spied them in the woods, and cut off their retreat. After re- 
maining there until hunger drove them out they came and gave 
themselves up. The government has seized all the stock on this 
farm, consisting of 2,000 head of horses, cattle, hogs, sheep, &c. 
Chaplain Yard bought a sheep from the confiscating quarter- 
master this afternoon. 
28 F B 



430 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

White House, May 17th, 1862. Major Williams, of the Sixth 
Regular Cavalry, is placed under a strong guard for communi- 
cating with the enemy. This Major Williams and Lieutenant 
Beine, who came in with the flag of truce, were bosom friends 
l:)etore the war. While in conversation with Lieutenant Beine 
he asked where Major Williams was. ^lajor Williams desired 
to have his whole command captured by the enemy, but in this 
he was foiled, and is now in safe custody. 

White House, May i8th, 1862. Orders have come to march 
at 4 o'clock in the morning. It means go. and that towards Rich- 
mond. 

Near Tunstall's Station, May igth. 1862. To-night we sleep 
within eighteen miles of Richmond ; one good day's march would 
bring us there, but in all probability Jeff Davis will invite us to 
halt. 

Cold Harbor, May 22d, 1862. We got under wav yesterday 
morning at 9 o'clock and arrived here at four in the afternoon, 
a distance of seven miles. The fact that the advance had to fix 
the roads and mend the bridges is what took us so long. Our 
wagons did not arrive until 9:30 P. M., so that we had neither 
dinner nor supper, but we had some liard crackers which answered 
the purpose very well. 

On the Chickahominy, seven miles from Riclimond. June ist. 
1862. Another Sabbath has nearly closed and I am still spared 
in health and strength. The day has passed amid scenes of ex- 
citement. The loud roar of cannon has l)een thundering' about 
my ears. Fighting commenced dtnvn along the left of our lines 
at an early hour this morning, the enemy fleeing before our fire, 
but it was nothing compared to yesterday's fighting. Our artil- 
lery was drawn up in line at an early hour this morning and com- 
manded the opposite banks of the Chickahominy. Early this 
morning a rebel battery opened fire upon one of our batteries 
just in front of our camp; two of their shots fell in front of the 
battery, the balance falling short. A\'e had about eighty guns in 
position on the north l)ank of the stream. We could distinctly 
see the troops and wagon trains passing on the opposite side and 
quite a number of shots were fired into them. Our troops have 
been busv building bridges all day across the river under cover 
of our ouns. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 431 

General McClellan sent up a despatch from the left of the line 
saying that the commands of Porter and Franklin would not 
move across the river but to hurry up the bridges. There are 
three corps now across the river, viz.. Keyes', Heintzelman's and 
Sumner's : two yet remain to cross. Porter and Franklin. Our 
troops acted nobly in the fight yesterday and to-day, excepting 
Casey's division, which ran away. General Kearny fired into 
them and drove them back.. It would not be at all surprising to 
see them fight like tigers the next time that they are brought 
into action. That was the case with some of the troops in the 
INIexican war. I suppose that there is great excitement in the 
North to-nig'ht, but we are as cool as cucumbers and eager for 
the fight. General McClellan telegraphs from the left of the line 
that the number of killed and wounded is heavy on both sides. 
This evening, at 6 ijo, we had a very pleasant service, the whole 
regiment being formed in a square, two hymns, two^ prayers and 
a few remarks. We could hear the rebels rimning cars all night. 
\\t suppose that they were carrying off their dead and wounded. 
No doubt Richmond has been a city of weeping and mourning 
to-day. and the infernal leaders tremble in their shoes. They 
must know that thev cannot stand before the well-fed. well- 
clothed and well-disciplined soldiers of the North. 

June 4th. Yesterday evening things were quite lively about 
here; the rebels run out a cannon from the woods just opposite 
us on the hill and opened fire upon us. The balls were well 
directed ; one of them came right into the Fourth Regiment 
camp, while another struck within a few feet of our battery, in 
front of the camp. Our battery immediately replied and threw 
their shells right among the rebels and they ran for the woods. 

Mechanicsville, June 7th, 18162. \\'e did not get awa}- from 
our old camp until about noon, and arrived here about two. \A'e 
had to pich our camp in the woods, on the same ground that the 
Ninety-sixth Pennsylvania occupied. The ground was perfectly 
filthv. We set about to clean it up ; there must have been at least 
fifty loads of dirt. Our camp is just alongside of the main pike 
at Richmond, the distance to the city being just five miles. Our 
])ickets are within four miles of the city. At 2 : 30 this morning 
we had all to turn out and stand under arms until good daylight. 



432 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

We shall have to do this every morning so long as we are here in 
the extreme right and exposed to a sudden attack of the enemy 
any moment. Lying on the outposts is hard business, but highly 
necessary. Some must be in the advance, in fact, the true soldier 
craves the position, it being the post of honor. 

Fair Oaks, June 19th, 1862. Orders came to march as soon 
as the Fourth New Jersey could be relieved from picket duty by 
a regiment of McCall's Division. We got under way soon after 
breakfast and marched nearly back to Cold Harbor, thence to the 
right and crossed the Chickahominy some two miles below New 
Bridge, thence up the stream to Fair Oaks which is at the foot 
of the lines. We now have our position in the line ready for 
the advance on the rebel city. Our march to-day was a hard one 
through a broiling sun. We did not arrive here until 6 o'clock 
this evening, yet we did not march over ten miles. We found 
our division all over when we arrived. The heavy firing of 
yesterday was a battle very near the spot where v^-e are encamped 
to-night ; the rebels came out and made the attack, but were sorely 
defeated. 

Fair Oaks, June 26th, 1862. Another severe day of bloodshed 
has passed and I am still in the land of the living. Yesterday at 
1 1 A. M. we went forward and at 1 1 : 30 we moved off to the 
left, about ^ quarter of a mile on a line with the York River 
railroad, where we lay until about eight o'clock last evening. 
Our Brigade was in the Third line and consequently was not in 
the fight at all. Heavy firing was kept up from right to left of 
the entire line all day and a considerable of last night, the heavi- 
est firing being on the left in Hooker's and Kearny's divisions. 
Brave fellows fell yesterday; one fine-looking young lieutenant 
of the Nineteenth Massachusetts was carried by our regiment. 
He was shot through the heart. The Nineteenth Massachusetts 
lost heavily. They marched into the woods, delivered their fire 
at the rebel pickets when a rebel regiment rose up from behind 
an ambush and delivered a deadly fire and then ran. In a few 
minutes the Nineteenth lost in killed and wounded forty-five. At 
one time our batteries, just in front of where we lay, opened a 
brisk fire on the rebels. We began to think that our turn was 
near at hand. biU the rebels ran and were kept hack by the roar 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 433 

of the artillery. It was reported that we lost in killed and 
wounded about four hundred. 

Fair Oaks, June 27th, 1862. The last two days have been full 
of hardship and toil. Yesterday we were detailed to go out at 
seven o'clock in the evening in order to protect a working party 
in the wheat fields of which I spoke a day or two ago. The 
working party consisted of about one regiment, the First Ne^^■ 
Jersey, and the Second Vermont as a guard. 

We went out to throw up earthworks. All night long we had 
to be up, as the enemy was within gun-shot of us and we were 
not allowed to speak much above a whisper. I was on my feet 
nearly the whole night, and until 6 o'clock this morning. We 
threw up earthworks about three hundred yards long. I reckon the 
rebels were S(;>mewhat surprised when daylight had revealed what 
we had done. So soon as we got to camp orders came to march 
immediately to the support of Porter at Mechanicsvillc, as the 
enemy had attacked. However, we got no further than the 
Chickahominy when the firing ceased, so we halted and lay there 
in the broiling sun until 1 1 o'clock and then returned to camp. 
As I wrote the last word on the preceding page an order came 
from General Slocum to march immediately. This time it was 
to the rear in order to get out of the way of bomb shells which 
were flying- through our camp and bursting over our heads. It 
is now 3 P. M. The rebels were undoubtedly shelling the earth- 
works which we built last night. General McClellan sent a 
despatch through the camp stating that we were driving thq 
enemy before us, and such a roar of cheering as went up from 
right to left of the army I never heard before; bands also com- 
menced playing, a thing that has not occurred for a long time 
before. Orders have just come to march again; I am almost 
Avorn out. but I must go. I think that we shall get a fight by 
and by. 

These are the last lines penned by the Major, as he was mor- 
tally wounded the very afternoon of the day that he wrote the 
above; the letter, unfinished, came home with his efTects.' The 
fight that he spoke of was his last. He fell in the path of duty. 



434 FIRST XE]V JERSEY BRIGADE. 

At Library Hall, Elizabeth, on the evening- of July 4th, i(S64, 
the flag that had been presented to Company A by the ladies, on 
leaving for the seat of war, was returned to them, after being 
lx)rne through three years of service, the remnant of the Com- 
pany that had returned being seated on the platform by ^^r. 
William J. Magie. 

Mr. Magie spoke as follows: 

Ladies of Elizabeth, three years ago, on the i6th of May, 
last, 1 was honored by being invited by some of your number on 
your behalf to present a National Flag to a company of men 
jusl then enlisted and about to depart to the seat of war. The 
survivors of that company, few in number, having l)onie the vicis- 
situdes of a three-years' campaign, have done me the honor to 
request me to return that same flag to you. Permit me to say 
in the hearing of this audience, that the compliment the}- thus 
pay you is richly deserved, to say nothing of the toil and labor 
you have given from week to week in the collection of articles 
for the comfort and benefit of the soldiers in camp and hospital, 
and of which this room and this day shows another proof there 
are those among you, and I am sure I need not mention their 
names, who have canonized themselves already in the hearts of 
these men. They have cared for their wives and children when 
they were away, have nursed their sick comrades when in the 
hospital, have sat by their dying beds, and when they were dead, 
have found a quiet resting place for their honored remains and 
given them a respectable burial. All honor to them, their work 
has been quiet and has not received any fitting recognition, but 
speaking in the name of these men. T tell you, ladies, that they 
can never and will never forget you. and they hope that the 
reward which you all feel in the consciousness of well doing in 
vour own hearts may be doubled and re-doubled when the Great 
Captain calls His muster. 

This Flag has but little history of a personal character: the 
company to which you gave it was connected with the First 
Regiment of the New Jersey Volunteers and to each of our 
regiments the State of New Jersey has given a three-years' 
resfimental colors. W'lien. however, this req-iment left New 



FIRST XBIV JERSEY BRIGADE. 435 

Jersey, the regiment colors were not prepared, and for five or 
six months the flag you gave the company was carried as the 
regimental colors, and thus it happened that this was the first 
one of the Stars and Stripes to be carried through Baltimore 
after the 19th of April, when the mob of that city, drunk with 
secession, rage and fury, had barred the passage of the Massa- 
chusetts regiment and spilled the first Union blood in this re- 
bellion. 

This Flag, at the head of the First Regiment, went through 
lanes of scowling, defiant faces, among men that would gladly 
have returned their attack upon them as they had upon the 
Massachusetts men, but who^ knew^ that there were 1,000 loaded 
muskets, and 1,000 Jersey boys behind them. 

Thank God,, this was not the last of the Stars and Stripes that 
Baltimore has seen passing through her streets. So it happened 
that being carried as the regimental color, it was the first colors 
of any reg'iment that enlisted for the three years' service, which 
was carried over the long bridge and planted on Virginia soil. 
It w^as carried on the battlefield of Bull Run, and shortly after, 
their regimental colors having been received, it was returned to 
the company which have carried it with them through all their 
marches and campaigns. When you presented them this flag three 
years ago there were ninety-eight men and three company officers 
composing it. I hold in my hand the original muster roll of that 
company, but if I would call over the names now, whence would 
come the response? Of the original number, twenty-seven have 
returned to their homes, eleven have re-enlisted (in the language 
of one of their number) to^ stand out still for the flag, our Union 
and our government. Some have been discharged, some have 
been promoted, but where are the rest? We strain our ears 
and we call their names toward the lonely graves down on the 
peninsula, and upon the slopes of the Alleghanies, but no answer 
comes back to us. No, because they have answered to the higher 
roll call, and these, their comrades, must, when we call their 
names, answer, "died on the field of battle." Of the company 
officers not one who left this city has returned. Resignations, 
promotion, discharge or death have removed them all. When I 
presented this flag to this company it was given into the hands 



436 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

of their Captain, David Hatfield. He was soon promoted to 
be Major, but shortly after wounded and came home to die, 
now lies in our quiet cemetery. It is not necessary for me to 
speak his praise, but I could not say anything about this com- 
pany without mentioning- his name. Governor Parker, who was 
then Governor of the State, told me that he was the first man 
in the State of New Jersey, after Sumter was fired upon, and 
the flame of war flashed over the country, who came to him and 
said, "I will raise you a company to defend the country." He 
was struck down while in the prime of life and left, I believe, 
but one sentiment in this community, that of sincere respect, for 
his patriotism and braver}-. I wish that I could go through the 
list of this company and tell you how and where the dead have 
fallen, but the time alloted me will not permit it. This company 
has been on nineteen fields of battle, has been under fire in almost 
all of them, and has been actively engaged in fourteen of the 
bloodiest and most desperate battlefields the world has ever 
seen. Upon their flag you may read their names. 

When I gave this company this flag on your behalf, I en- 
joined them to bring it back unsullied and untarnished. They 
do now bring it back to you, and ask you if they have not ful- 
filled your injunction. To you, ladies, is the sacred charge en- 
trusted in the hope that you will find some public fitting place 
where it will be hung, and where they can come and show it 
to their children with honorable pride, and where the lessons of 
patriotism that it teaches may not be lost. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 437 



Appendix J. 



List of those who were Killed or Died of Wounds. 



First Regimen.t. 

Colonel Mark W. Collet, killed, Salem Heights. 
Major David Hatfield, died of wounds, Gaines' Farm. 

Company Al 

Corporal Peter Brobson, color guard, killed. Wilderness. 
Private Ithamer M. Belmer, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

Marty Cavanagh, died of wounds, Gaines' Farm. 

John Eckard, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

Tho'S. Gitzgerald, killed, Fredericksburg. 

Michael Kain, died of wound, Gaines' Farm. 

Joseph Merrick, died of wounds, Wilderness. 

John V. Miller, killed. Second Manassas. 

Jordan Silvers, killed on picket near Alexandria, 1861. 

Uzal Trowbridge, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

Hezekiah B. Welton, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

ConDpany B. 

Sergeant William Snyder, died of wounds, Salem Heights. 
Private Daniel Bergen, killed, Middletown. 

Wm. H. Boun, died of wounds, Spottsylvania. 

Barzilla H. Erickson, killed, Petersburg. 

Charles Melman, died of wounds, Crampton's Pass. 

George Mendham, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

John O'Hara, died of wounds, in action. 

John H. Terhune, killed, Wilderness. 

Wm. B. Voorhees, killed, Spottsylvania. 

Peter Wyckoff, killed, Second Manassas. 

Wm. H. Williamson, captured and died of scurvy 
Andersonville. 



438 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

Co)npany C. 

Captain Ephraim Brevoster, killed, Gaines' Farm. 
First Lieutenant Lewis H. Thompson, died of wounds. Peters- 
burg-. 
Sergeant H. Hallman, killed. Wilderness. 
C<)r])oral John Fuller, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

C. H. Roberts, died of wounds, Gaines' Farm. 
William Campbell, died of wounds, Gaines' Farm. 
Thos. Conover, killed, Spottsylvania. 
George Fields, killed, Fredericksburg. 
Pri\-ate Samuel W. Campbell, died of wounds, Gaines' Farm. 

George W. Conover, died of wounds, Salem Heights. 

Thomas W. Cooler, killed, Spottsylvania. 

James Cox, killed, Crampton's Pass. 

Charles Exner, died of wounds, Crampton's Pass. 

Albert Faver, killed. Wilderness. 

Arthur Foster, killed. Cold Harbor. 

Charles Hall, killed, Petersburg. 

William Hamilton, died of wounds, ^^'ildcrness. 

Thomas Jones, killed. Wilderness. 

George Langguth, killed. Wilderness. 

John Maley, died of wounds, Gaines' Farm. 

John J. Perry, killed. Gaines' I'arm. 

John Price, killed. Slicker's Gap. 

Joseph Stafford, died of wounds. Spottsylvania. 

David B. Tappan, killed, Salem Heights. 

Company D. 

Sergeant Wilbur F. Lovel, died while prisoner of war. 

George W. Creveling, killed. Cold Harbor. 
C(>r])(iral ^^''inchestcr T. Bennett, killed. Gaines' Farm. 
Private Jose])h AUman, died of wounds, Second Manassas. 
Robert S. Beckwith. died of wounds. Second Manas- 
sas. 
Barnet Devlin, killed, Gaines' Farm. 
Tames Flood, killed. Gaines' Farm. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 439 

Pri\ate John Ganu. killed, Gaines' Farm. 

William Georg-e, killed, Salem Heights. 
Benjamin Hartzell, died of wounds. Wilderness. 
John Hartzell, killed. Cold Harbor. 
Robert N. Hough, died of wounds, vSpottsylvania. 
Thomas Leonard, killed, Salem Heights. 
James Mallory, died of wounds, Wilderness. 
John Savior, died of wounds, Cold Harbor. 

Company B. 

Corporal John C. Zanders, died of wounds in action. 

Jacob Bertine, killed, Manassas, 

Frederick C. Schwarze, killed, Gaines' Mill. 

Henry K. Patten, died of wounds. Wilderness. 

Daniel Logan, killed, Petersburg. 
Private Georg-e Adams, killed. Wilderness. 

John Brown, killed, Crampton's Pass. 
Benjamin Budd, killed, Gaines' Mill. 
Albert Klingman, killed, Gaines' Mill. 
William Cook, killed. Second Manassas. 
John Dilks, killed, Crampton's Pass. 
Daniel Drig-gits. killed. Wilderness. 
James Gillespy, killed, Gaines' Farm. 
Joseph Groskinsky, died O'f wounds, Wilderness. 
Alexander McCaukly, killed, Gaines' Farm. 
Patrick Nolan, killed, Gaines' Farm. 
Charles P. Norton, died of wounds. Second Manas- 
sas, 
Alexander Oldham, killed, Gaines' Farm. 
August Schwaze, killed, Gaines' Farm. 
Charles Yeager, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

Company F. 

First Lieutenant Benjamin Moffett, killed, Wilderness. 
Sergeant Miles Carrigan, killed, Fredericksburg. 
Corporal Richard Barry, died of wounds, Fredericksburg. 
Private Price F. Blake, killed, SIpottyslvania. 



440 . I'IRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

Private Ambrose Boyce, died of wounds, Gaines' Farm. 
James Burns, died of wounds. Gaines' Farm. 
John Carrow, killed, Gaines' Farm. 
Alexander Dobson, killed, Wilderness. 
George W. Hooker, died of wounds, Wilderness. 
John Morris, killed, Gaines' Farm. 
David B. S. Prall. died of wounds, Gaines' Farm. 
William Simcost, died of wounds. Wilderness. 
George W. Swan, killed. Cold Harbor. 
George Wilson, died of wounds, Cold Harbor. 



Company G. 

Captain Jacob D. Wyckoff, killed, Spottsylvania. 
First Lieutenant Carley Swan, killed. Wilderness. 
Color Sergeant Theodore F. Phillips, killed, Wilderness. 
Private Henr}- Clark, died of wounds, Petersburg. 

James H. Lilly, killed, Wilderness. 

William Lloyd, killed, Wilderness. 

William McDowell, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

William Meserole. killed, Gaines' Farm. 

Charles Perdren, killed, Fredericksburg. 

Charles Stout, killed, Gaines' Farm. 



Company H. 

Lieutenant Charles Seagraves, killed. Wilderness. 
Corporal Charles Graff, died of wounds in action. 
Private James Haggerty, killed, Wilderness. 

William Hatwell, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

Wilson H. Hoffman, killed. Second Manassas. 

George Homing, died of wounds, Salem Heights. 

Michael Alurphy, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

Joseph Purcell, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

James T. Wetmore, died of wounds. Salem H eighth 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 441 

Company I. 

First Sergeant Allen H. Kirkham, killed, Gaines' Farm, 
Corporal Julius Houriette, killed, Crampton's Pass. 
Private Edward BuUerworth, died of wounds, Salem 
Heights, 
Kiren Campbell, killed, Crampton's Pass. 
George J. Kipp, died of wounds, Wilderness, 
Patrick McGourty, killed, Crampton's Pass, 

Company K. 

Captain Richard Foster, died of wounds, Spottsyhania. 
Corporal John A, Peer, died of wounds, Spottsylvania, 
James McGory, killed, Wilderness. 
John Whitten, killed, Spottsylvania. 
Private Robert Beam, killed, Petersburg, 

James H. Crane, killed, Wilderness. 

George Crawford, killed. Wilderness, 

Thomas G, Davis, killed, W^ilderness. 

John Fischer, killed. Second Manassas. 

Ernest Len, killed, Crampton's Pass, 

Jonathan P, Loree, died of wounds, Wilderness. 

R, J. McAdams, died of wounds, Gaines' Farm, 

Phillip Nicklas, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

Mortimer Roberts, died of wounds, Wilderness. 

Martin Sivers, died of wounds. Wilderness. 

William S. VanFleet, died of wounds, Spottsylvania. 
First Regiment carried on its rolls 1,397 officers and men. 



442 FIRST XEIV JERSEY BRIGADE. 



SEicx)ND Regiment. 



Colonel Isaac M. Tucker, killed, Gaines' Farm. 
Lieutenant-Colonel Charles \\'iebecke. killed Spotlsylvania 
Court House. 

Company A. 

Corpcral George W. Scarlett, killed, Salem Church. 

William H. Moore, killed. Second ^^ianassas. 
Private James Callender, killed, Crampton's Pass. 

David Chichester, killed. Wilderness. 

Jacob Christman, killed, Second Manassas. 

Charles C. Davis, killed. Second Manassas. 

Francis M. Ogden, killed, Second Manassas. 

William Van Horn, killed, Second Manassas, 

Bernard Waver, killed. Second Manassas. 

Charles V. R. White, killed, Spottsylvania. 

Henry \\'ilson, died of wounds. ]\Ialvern Hill. 

John A. W^o^bbe,. killed, Gaines' Farm. 

Company B. 

First Sergeant Chralse L. Keyte. killed. Wilderness. 
Private John W. Donnell, killed, Salem Heights. 

Jacob Smith, died of wounds, Crampton's Pass. 

Henry Vanover. killed, Salem Heights. 

Company C. 

Cor])(>ral Hugh ]\IcMonagle, killed, Antietam. 

Isaac Ardill. killed, Charles City Cross Roads. 
Private Fenlon Kelly, died of wounds in action. 

Thomas Kendall, dieil of wounds, Crampton's Pass. 

James P. Lyndon, killed. Crampton's Pass. 

John ]\IcMonigle, killed, Crampton's Pass. 

Samuel Mellor, died of wounds, Crampton's Pass. 

John II. Xicliols. died of woimds, Salem Heights. 

lohn Ta\lor. killed. Second Alanassas. 



FIRST NEJV JERSEY BRIGADE. 443 

Company D. 

First Lieutenant Isaac H. Plume, killed, Second Manassas. 
First Sergeant Herman Dehmer, killed. Wilderness. 
Serg-eant William Kopcke, killed, Gaines' Mill. 

John J. Heller, died of wounds, Spottsylvania. 
Corporal Charles Eichenberg-, killed, Gaines' Mill. 

Charles Huck, killed, Spottsylvania. 
Private George Enter, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

Michael Gruber, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

Christoph Herman, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

Bernard Konkle, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

August Mahr, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

John Seidenspinner, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

Phillip Tanner, died of wounds, Crampton's Pass. 

Jacob Wendecker, killed, Crampton's Pass. 

Julius Woerwag, killed, Salem Heights. 

Daniel Zellweiger, killed, Spottsylvania. 

Company B. 

Corporal John C. Hensler, died of wounds, Spottsylvania. 

Private William Schneider, killed, Laurel Hill. 

Herman Jansen, died of wounds, Crampton's Pass, 
Hugo Lehlbach, died of wounds, Wilderness. 
Conrad Reis, killed, Crampton's Pass. 

Company F. 

Sergeant Thomas J. Stephens, killed, Gaines' Farm. 
Private Jerry Carroll, killed, Crampton's Pass. 

Samuel Jackson, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

Jared Kennedy, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

William McVay, killed, Crampton's Pass. 

Jacob Packer, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

Henrv Swin, killed, Salem Heights. 



444 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

Company G. 

Captain William Bergen, died of wounds, Salem Heights. 
Corporal Frederick A. Curtis, killed, Salem Heights. 
Private Basil Dykes, killed. W'iUlerness. 

John Higgins, killed, Cheesman's Creek. 

Frederick H. Kronenberger, died of wounds, Fred- 
ericksburg. 

David C. Price, killed, Second ^Manassas. 

Company H. 

Captain Henry H. Callan, killed. Wilderness. 
Sergeant Joseph Sealy, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

Robert Seymour, killed, Salem Heights. 
Corporal George Somerville, killed, Crampton's Pass. 

Horace Smith, killed. Gaines' Farm. 
Private James L. Conklin. killed, Gaines' Farm. 

Joseph Dunn, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

John S. Hand, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

Henry W . Hundertfund. killed, Gaines' Farm. 

William McClure, killed. Gaines' Farm. 

George Morrison, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

Simon F. Wyman, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

Company I. 

Captain Charles Dansforth, Jr.. killed. Gaines' Farm. 
Private William H. Brooks, killed. Gaines' Farm. 

Sylvanus B. Burnham, died of wounds, Gaines' Farm. 

Geo. W. Davidson, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

Byron Lawton, killed, Crampton's Pass. 

William McCloud, killed, Crampton's Pass. 

Jacob Ott, killed, Wilderness. 

John C. Scott, killed. Spottsylvania. 

John Zabriskie, killed. Gaines' Farm. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 445 

Company K. 

Captain Jacob Bogert, killed, Wilderness. 

Corporal Jesse Conover, died of wounds, Gaines' Farm. 

Giles R. Rendell, killed, Gaines' Farm. 
Private Emanuel Boudiette, killed, Crampton's Pass. 

Samuel Carroll, killed, Antietam. 

Albert Frederick, killed. Second Manassas. 

Andrew Hemberger, killed, Crampton's Pass. 

William Nalborough, died of wounds, Crampton's 
Pass. 

John S. Skinner, died of wounds, Salem Heights. 

Daniel K. Vanderhoof, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

Washington Wilson, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

William H. Wise, died of wounds. Gaines' Farm. 
Total strength of Second Regiment, 2,198. 



Third Regiment. 

Company A. 

Sergeant Samuel C. Matt, killed. Fredericksburg. 
John R. Pedrick, killed, Fredericksburg. 
Corporal Henry J. Wamsley, killed, Spottsylvania. 
John D. Scott, killed, Fredericksburg. 
Joseph Downs, killed, Fredericksburg. 
Private Joseph T. Allen, killed, Spottsylvania. 

Charles Beatty, killed. Fredericksburg. 

John Boyce, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

James T. Caffrey, killed. Crampton's Pass. 

Henry T. Clark, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

William D. Clark, died of wounds, Wilderness. 

Michael Donnell, killed, Crampton's Pass. 

John Henthorn, killed, Spottsylvania. 

William Hewitt, killed, Spottsylvania. 

George Ostertack, killed. Gaines' Farm. 

Charles G. Zane, died of wounds, Gaines' Farm. 

William F. Zane, died of wounds. Wilderness. 

29 F B 



446 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

Coinpany B. 

First Lieutenant William X. Evans, died of wounds, Gaines* 

Farm. 
First Sergeant Howard S. Vandegrift. killed, Salem Heights. 
Corporal Arthur H. Merry, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

William Ross, died of wounds, Salem Heights. 
John K. Frankish, killed, Spottsylvania. 
William B. Smith, killed, Spottsylvania. 
Private Adam Adams, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

Edward Browning, died of wounds, Spottsylvania. 

Allen Coull, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

James Hollingsworth, died of Wounds, Crampton's 

Pass. 
Lewis C. Hong, killed. Cold Harlx)r. 
Elwood Lock, died of wounds, Gaines' Farm. 
John McLees, died of wounds, Gaines' Farm. 
Martin McNully. killed. Salem Heights, 
Stephen Tompkinson, killed in skirmish, near Burke's 

Station. 
Alexander J. Walker, died of wounds, Salem Heights 

Company C. 

Captain Daniel P. Buckley, killed. Gaines' Farm. 
First Lieutenant Richard A. Curlis. died of wounds, Spottsyl- 
vania. 
First Sergeant William H. H. Reed, died of wounds, Wilder- 
ness. 
Sergeant Iknjaniin A. Burr, killed. Second ^Linassas. 
Corporal Thomas B. Arey, killed, Gaines' Farm. 
Pri\ate William J. Ballenger, killed, Crampton's Pass. 

Stephen J. Butler, died of wounds. Gaines' Fann. 

William W. Miller, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

John Park, died of wounds, Spottsylvania. 

Thomas S. Palmer, killed. Gaines' Farm. 

John Rogan. killed, Gaines' Farm. 

Sanuiel Wilson, killed, Salem HeiirlUs. 



FIRST XEir JERSEY BRIGADE. 447 

Company D. 

Sergeant Robert Banghani, killed, Salem Heights. 
Corporal John W. Marvin, killed, Spottsylvania. 
Private William C. Bell, died of w^ounds, Salem Heights. 

Adam Drake, died of wounds, Salem Heights. 

William A. Hedden, died of wounds, Salem Heights. 

Lefferd Haughawout, died of wounds, Spottsylvania. 

William Moran, killed in action, Second Manassas. 

William A. Price, died of wounds, Gaines' Farm. 

Martin G. Savercool, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

James Schoonover, Jr., killed, Gaines' Farm. 

Charles A. Titsworth, died of wounds received in 
action. 



Company B. 

Sergeant James Leiper, killed, Wilderness. 

Richard M. Jackson, died of wounds, Gaines' Farm. 
Joseph Fie, killed, Spottsylvania. 
Corporal George L. Morse, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

George J. Macklin, killed, Spottsylvania. 
Private Joseph D. Haines, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

William F. Helmbold, killed, Spottsylvania. 
Robert W. Hopping, killed. Cold Harbor. 
Henry Oliver, killed, Gaines' Farm. 
William Purfie, died of wounds, Gaines' Farm. 
Geo. W. Rebum, died of wounds, Gaines' Farm. 
Jesse C. Ross, died of wounds, Manassas. 
John Schoppe, killed, Gaines' Farm. 
William Sutton, died of wounds, Gaines' Farm. 
George W. Veriel, died of wounds. Cold Harbor. 
Benjamin Ware, died of wounds, Charles City Cross- 
roads. 
Thomas Wilby, killed, Gaines' Farm. 
James Williams, died of wounds, Crampton's Pass. 



448 FIRST XHIV JERSEY BRIGADE. 



Company F. 

Sergeant Sylvester W. F. Randolph, killed, Gaines' Farm. 
Corporal Enoch B. Pew, died of wounds, Spottsylvania. 
Private Charles H. Bacon, killed, Crampton's Pass. 

Elias W. Blackson, died of wonnds, Gaines' Farm. 

Gideon W. Johnson, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

Thomas B. Keen, killed, Crampton's Pass. 

William F. Nichols, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

Henry B. Stockton, killed, Spottsylvania. 

John M. Tyler, died of wounds. Gaines' Farm. 

Company G. 

Second Lieutenant William C. Barnard, Kearny's Staff, killed, 

Williamsburg. 
Sergeant Theodore AlcCoy, killed, Crampton's Pass. 

John S. Judd, died of wounds. Spottsylvania. 
Corporal Jacob Crater, died of wounds. Spottsylvania. 
Christopher Hoagland. killed. Spottsylvania. 
Private John V. Bennett, killed, Spottsylvania. 

John J. Dietz, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

Adam Job, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

John Keiser. died of wounds. 

John Lederman. killed. Gaines" Farm. 

William Littell. died of wounds. Salem Heights. 

Joseph McNear. killed. Salem Heights. 

William Steinka. killed. Salem Heights. 

Calel) \\'oo(h-uff. killed. ]\lanassas. 

C(>iiipa)iy H. 

Second Lieutenant Richard Duft'y, killed, Spottsylvania. 
Corporal Thomas Alcott, killed, Crampton's Pass. 

William W. Scott, killed. Gaines' Farm. 

Daniel Schuh. killed, Gettysburg. 

Alfred A\'. Archer, killed, Salem Heights. 

John Ellis, killed while on guard duty by a comrade. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 449 

Private James Belcher, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

George H. Borton, killed, Spottsylvania. 
Charles C. Delaney, accidentally killed by comrade. 
Charles H. Dennis, killed, Gaines' Farm. 
Charles F. Downs, died of wounds, Gaines' Farai. 
James F. Farley, killed, Gaines' Farm. 
George W. Johnson, killed, Salem Heights. 
Hugh Loughran, killed, Crampton's Pass. 
Walter Mulford, killed, Gaines' Farm. 
Charles M. Reid, killed, Gaines' Farm. 
John Rebairt, killed, Gaines' Farm. 



Company I. 

Captam Archibald S. Taylor, killed, Salem Heights. 

Oscar Westlake, killed, Cold Harbor. 
Second Lieutenant Thomas J. Howell, killed, Gaines' Farm. 
First Sergeant John E. Bedell, killed, Spottsylvania. , 
Sergeant Edward Nolen, killed, Spottsylvania. 

William Spooner, killed, Spottsylvania. 
Corporal John Hand, killed. Munson's Hill. 
Private George Barnes, died of wounds. 

John G. Coblenzer, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

William H. Scout, killed while on scout. 

Thomas Currier, killed, Spottsylvania. 

Joseph I. Force, died of wounds, Spottsylvania. 

Adam Fowler, killed. Gaines' Farm. 

Andrew J. Gerven, died of wounds, Gaines' Farm. 

David Harrigan, killed, Crampton's Pass. 

Ernest Howell, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

Isaac Jewel, killed, Salem Heights. 

Conrad Klenn, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

George Neil, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

Anthony H. Perry, killed, Crampton's Pass. 

Tames C. Skellenger, died of wounds, Spottsylvania. 



450 FIRST XEir JERSEY BRIGADE. 

Company K. 

Sergeant William Hade, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

Andrew Forsyth, killed, Salem Heights. 
William Merrion, killed, Spottsylvania. 
John Starrs, killed, Spottsylvania. 
Corporal Thomas O'Neil, killed, Spottsylvania. 
Daniel Diamond, killed, Gaines Farm. 
Andrew Jackson Pettit, killed. 
Private James Connolly, killed, Spottsylvania. 
Andrew Daily, killed, Mnnson's Hill. 
James Gaffaney, killed, Spottsylvania. 
William Garry, killed, Crampton's Pass. 
Lawrence Kuhan, killed, Gaines' Farm. 
Patrick Russell, killed, Spottsylvania. 
William Shroeder, killed, Gaines' Farm. 
Alexander Spear, killed, Spottsylvania. 
William Sweeney, died of wounds, Salem Heights 
Charles Wood, killed, Spottsylvania. 
Total strength of the Third Regiment, 1,275. 



Fourth Regiment. 

Colonel Wm. B. Hatch, killed, Fredericksburg. 
Adjutant Josiah S. Studdiford, killed. Crampton's Pass. 
Sergeant-Major Thomas Bonney, killed. Munson's Hill. 

Company A. 

Captain Charles Meves, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

Sergeant Theodore Krugg, died of wounds recei\ed in action. 

Charles Helmutli, died of wounds, ^^'ilderness. 
Corporal John Miller, died of wounds, 'Gaines' Farm. 

Joseph Schlatter, killed. Wilderness. 

John O'Neil, killed, Petersburg. 
Private Otto Bender, killed. Gaines' Farm'. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 451 

Private John Burghart, killed, Gaines' Farm. 
John Deild, killed, Cold Harbor. 
Valentine Hennius, killed, Spottsylvania. 
John Louis, killed, Gaines' Farm. 
Jacob Rhode, killed, Gaines' Farm. 
John Whitte, died of wounds, Petersburg. 

Company B. 

Corporal John W. Morris, died of woimds, Spottsylvania. 
Private Robert Aitken, died of wounds received in action. 

Andrew Broughton, killed, Spottsylvania. 

George Carr, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

Patrick Curran, killed, Wilderness. 

Joseph B. English, killed, Spottsylvania. 

Abner Gaskill, killed, Spottsylvania. 

William W. Hill, died of wounds, Gaines' Farm. 

Samuel S. Hull, killed, Crampton's Pass. 

Robert Pierson, killed, Spottsylvania. 

Benajah M. Plume, killed, Wilderness. 

Alexander Smith, killed, Fredericksburg. 

Amos Voorhees, killed, Winchester. 

John F. Wilson, killed, Spottsylvania. 

John H. Wood, died of wounds, Spottsylvania. 

Company C. 

Sergeant George J. Pettit, killed, Crampton's Pass. 
Corporal Thomas Ashworth, killed, Gaines' Farm. 
Private William H. Banks, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

Samuel Blue, killed, Spottsylvania. 

Isaac S. Dye, died of wounds, Wilderness. 

Andrew Flash, killed, Crampton's Pass. 

Mathew Jackson, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

George H. Juddy. killed, Spottslyvania. 

Charles S. King, killed, Spottsylvania. 

George W. Lee, killed, Slicker's Gap. t ■ 



452 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

Private Garret L. Roberson,, killed, Gaines' Farm. 
Henry Speece, killed, Winchester. 
James Taggert, died of wounds, Cedar Creek. 
Aaron C. Wolcott, killed, Fredericksburg. 

Company D. 

Cnrpf )ral Charles Glassmere, killed, Gaines' Farm. 
Henry Francis, killed, Gaines" Farm. 
George Mullenix, killed, Gaines' Farm. 
Private Eugene Bishop, killed. Wilderness. 

James Cray, killed. Gaines' Farm. 

John A. Cray, killed, Gaines' Farm'. 

Samuel Devine, killed, Spottsylvania. 

Henry Harris, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

William C. Jones, died of wounds, Gaines' Farm. 

Michael Marritt, killed, Gaines' FaiTn. 

Philip McKenna, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

Michael McManus, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

James A. Mullenix, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

Cornelius G. Post, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

William Robins, killed. Wilderness. 

Anthony Roll, killed. Wilderness. 

Franklin H. Skinner, killed, Gaines" Farm. 

John States, died of wounds, Spottsylvania. 

John \\''arner. died of wounds. Wilderness. 

Company B. 

Corpdral Charles W. Ludlow, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

Stacey Borton, killed, Fredericksburg. 

Charles C. Hall, killed, Cold Harbor. 
Private William R. Carson, killed, Gaines' Farm. 
John H. Crespin, killed. Wilderness. 
George Hollo well, died of wounds recei^•ed in action. 
James Henson. killed, Spottsylvania. 
Andrew J. Joline, killed. Cedar Creek. 
Elijah B. Walton, died of wounds, Gaines' Farm. 
Benjamin Warner, killed, Fredericksburg. 
John Williams, killed. Gaines' Farm. 
Henn' Woodburv. killed, Gaines' Farm. 



FIRST NEIV JERSEY BRIGADE. 453 



Company F. 

First Sergeant John Dimond, killed, Gaines' Farm. 
Sergeant Charles H. Jewell, died of wounds, Cedar Creek. 

Benjamin Lenton, killed, Spottsylvania. 
Private George B; Budd, died of wounds, Gaines' Farm. 

George W. Chew, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

Jacob W. Clement, killed, Spottsylvania. 

Joseph C. Dorell, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

Patrick Dunn, died of wounds, Winchester. 

Charles Gouger, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

Richard Lakey, killed, Wilderness. 

Clement Schey, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

Jacob Sturges, died of wounds, Cedar Creek. 

Joseph E. Ware, killed, Crampton's Pass. 

Compafiy G. 

First Sergeant Isaac J. Pine, killed, Gaines' Farm. 
Sergeant Joseph M. Cavalier, killed, Gaines' Farm. 
Corporal Samuel B. Carter, died of wounds. Wilderness. 

George W. Thompson, killed, Fredericksburg. 
Private Conrad Cramer, died of wounds, Cedar Creek. 

John W. Ford, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

Wait Gober, killed, Spottsylvania. 

William A. Goff. died of wounds, Wilderness. 

Mark W. Johnson, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

George J. Walker, died of wounds, Spottsylvania. 

Charles Woodward, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

Company H. 

Sergeant Charles W. Lowe, died of wounds, Gaines' Farm. 
Corporal Benjamin F. Mitchell, died of wounds, Gaines' Farm. 
Private Thomas Clevenger, died of wounds. Wilderness. 

David Doughty, died of wounds, Gaines' Farm. 

Jesse G. Eastlack, died of wounds, Crampton's Pass. 

Edward V. Force, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

Daniel Kane, died of wounds. Cold Harbor. 



-to4 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

Private Benjamin Kindle, died of wounds, Spottsyhania. 
William McDowell, killed. Cold Harbor. 
Charles W. Potter, killed, Gaines' Farm. 
Christopher Stierle, died of wounds. Wilderness. 
Leonard Tice, killed, Fredericksburg. 
William Westcott, killed, Fredericksburg. 

) 
Company I. 

Sergeant Isaac C. Shemelia, killed, Spottsylvania. 
Samuel D. Applebee, killed. Petersburg. 
Corporal Michael Sweeney, died of wounds. Wilderness. 
Private Joseph Boxer, killed, Wilderness. 

Walter Chambers, killed, Wilderness. 

George W. Clark, died of wounds received in action. 

John Cline. killed, Spottsylvania. 

Ambrose Cobb, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

Loyd W. Cook, died of wounds, Manassas. 

John W. Hooper, died of wounds, Wilderness. 

John C. Lutes, killed, Manassas. 

Walter Mitchell, killed, Crampton's Pass. 

John Muckery, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

Daniel Nixon, killed, Crampton's Pass. 

James B. Ross, killed, Wilderness. 

Job Stockton, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

Company K. 

First Lieutenant William Sackley, killed, Petersburg. 
Second Lieutenant Samuel D. Cross, died of wounds, Spottsyl- 
vania. 
Sergeant William W. Palmer, killed, Crampton's Pass. 
• Corporal Sheppard H. Flannigan, killed, Gaines' Farm. 
Private Thomas Cobb, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

Anthony Craupp, killed, Gaines' Farm. 

Robert C. Curry, killed, Crampton's Pass. 

Isaac I. Dubois, killed, Spottsylvania. 

John C. Headly, killed, Spottsylvania. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 455 

Private Samuel Orr, killed, Spottsylvania. ' 

Alonzo Peterson, killed. Wilderness. 
Isaac Shute, killed, Spottsylvania. 
Michael Slane, killed, Opegnon. 

Total strength of Fourth Regiment, 2,036. 



450 I'IRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



Appendix K. 



Sketch of General Lewis Perrine, Quartermaster=GeneraI of 
New Jersey, 1855=1889. 

General Lewis Perrine was born September 15th. 1815, in 
Manalapan township, Monmouth county. Xew Jerse>', a son of 
John and Sarah Ely Perrine. and a descendant of Major John 
Perrine, of the Revoluti(jnarv Army, who enjoyed the rare dis- 
tinction of fighting throughout the battle of Monmouth partly 
on his own farm and in sight of his home. Early evincing a taste 
for study and the law, he was sent to Lawrenceville School, where 
he graduated in 1835, ^^'^^^ immediately entered the Sophomore 
Class at Princeton College, from which institution he was gradu- 
ated in 1838. In 1888 he attended the fiftieth anniversary of his 
graduation, when sixteen of his classmates were present. He 
read law in Princeton for two years, under the preceptorship of 
Judge James S. Green, father of ex-Governor Robert S. Green 
of New Jersey, and in 1840 moved to Burlington, X. J., where he 
finished his course in the ot^ce of United States Senator Garret 
D. ^^'all, taking charge of his business during his absence in 
Washington. Admitted to the bar as an attorney-at-law in 1841. 
he moved to Trenton, N. J., where he remained until his death. 
In 1844 he became a counsellor-at-law, and practiced law for a 
number of vears. with great success. Inheriting from his Frencli 
and American ancestors a true military spirit, while still a college 
student he joined the Monmouth Rifle Corps, made up of young- 
farmers" sons, more than a hundred in number. While his 
masterlv abilities in his profession of the law were widely recog- 
nized, he was better known to the people of the State for his 
useful services in public affairs, in connection with the develop- 
ment of its railroad interests, under the leadership (^f Commodore 
Robert F. Stockton and Edwin A. Stevens, and in increasing the 
efficiencv of its military organization. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 457 

As a young man, he rendered efficient service to Governor 
Rodman M. Price, as his mihtary secretary, and in this position 
developed those quahties which led to his appointment in 1855 
as Quartermaster-General of the State, and the extension of 
his services as such to the remarkable period of thirty-five years, 
his duties including those of Commissary-General, Paymaster- 
General and Chief of Ordnance, and to him is conceded the 
honor of organizing those departments substantially as they exist 
at the present day. 

The war of the rebellion coming on in 1861, his duties were 
rendered extremely arduous, and of great responsibility. He 
raised, armed and equipped every soldier who went from New 
Jeree}^ to the war. To New Jersey's everlasting credit be it 
said, that a New Jersey regiment was one of the first, if not the 
very first, to reach Washington after the call to arms, and in 
every subsequent call for troops was one of the very few States 
that not only furnished the full quota called for, but far exceeded 
the number asked, a result in no small measure due to General 
Perrine's untiring zeal and tremendous energy. He not only 
sent these great bodies of men to the front, but followed them 
there, visiting many battlefields and being present at many en- 
gagements with the enemy. He personally attended to the 
removal of hundreds of the sick and wounded to New Jersey, to 
be nursed back to health and strength .it Camp Olden and Camp 
Perrine in Trenton, and at various hospitals and their homes. 

In the collection of the war debt of the State from the 
National government, he was very successful, having fewer 
claims disallowed in proportion than any other State. This 
was a patient and hard task, and was many years in accomplish- 
ment. It was largely due to an excellent system of accounts, 
which he inaugurated and insisted upon having carried out. 

In 1 87 1 he was appointed one of the three State House Com- 
missioners, and as such, served eighteen years and until his death, 
being the only one of the original members, and having had 
many associates. This commission had the supervision of all the 
improvements and additions made from time to time to the 
building. 



458 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

He was one of the incorporators and directors of the famous 
old Camden and Amboy Railroad, and wh.en its control passed to 
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, in 1871, he became iden- 
tified as a director of more than a score of the railroads which 
go to make up this great system. He was an incorporator of 
the Trenton Horse Railroad Company, and its president until 
his death. For more than twenty-five years he was president of ' 
the Trenton Delaware Bridge over which the tracks of the Penn- 
sylvania Railroad passes. 

He was president of the Board of Visitors of the West Point 
Military Academy, appointed by President Andrew Johnson in 
1866, composed each year largely by United States Senators and 
members of Congress. 

He was one of the United States Commissioners to arrange 
the Centennial Celebration of the Battle of Yorktown in 1881, 
and a member of the Commission which erected the Monmouth 
Battle Monument on that battlefield, laboring many years to 
bring about this. 

He was offered the position of I'nilcd States Minister to 
Rome by President James Buchanan. 1)ut declined because of ill 
health in his family. 

He was a life-long member of the First Presbyterian Church 
of Trenton, and passed away cjuite suddenly while yet in the 
harness of work, on September 24th, 1889. 



FIRST yElV JERSEY BRIGADE. 459 



Muster-jn Rolls. 



First New Jersey Volunteers. 

William R. IMontgomery, Colonel. 

Robert McAllister, Lieutenant-Colonel. 

David Hatfield, Major. 

William Henry, Jr., Adjutant. 

Samuel Read, Quartermaster. 

Edward F. Taylor, Surgeon. 

Charles C. Gordon, Assistant Surgeon. 

Robert R. Yard, Chaplain. 

Henry C. Warner, Sergeant-Major. 

Joseph H. Painter, Quartermaster-Sergeant. 

Smith G. Blythe, Commissary-Sergeant. 

Redford Sharp Hospital Sfezuard. 



Musicians. 

Abbott, William H., Duffield, George W., 

Allen, John, Metcalf, James A., 

Allen, Lewis G., Moss, Thomas, 

Baker, John A., Schierley, Andrew, 

Baker, Martin N., Smith, Austin S., 

Chapman, William H., Watts, William H., 

Cowan, Martin, Zapf, William. 

COMPANY A. 

John W. Brown, Captain. 

Paul R. Hambrick, First Lieutenant. 

Thomas T. Fellon, " 

Luther Martin, Second Lieutenant. 

Samuel H. Dunham, First Sergeant. 

Alvan M. Meeker, Sergeant. 

Joseph C. Martin, " 

Phineas P. Provost, " 

Francis Hall, " 

William H. Meeker, Corporal. 

William Brant, Jr 

William G. Russell 

Ralph P. Baker, 

William W. Allen 

Robert G. Lyle, 



460 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



William Henderson, Corporal. 

John G. Parkinson, " 

Israel C. Townley • ■ Fifer. 

Daniel H. Brower, Drummer. 

Edward K. Neal, Wagoner. 



Privates. 



Allen, John J., 
Brobson, Peter, 
Bonnell, Edward E.. 
Beaty, James, 
Boughton. Stephen E., 
Barton, Robert C, 
Belmer, Ithamas M., 
Brant, Joseph, Jr., 
Clum, William H., 
Cavanagh, Merty Hor W., 
Creighton, Hugh T., 
Curran. Tliomas, 
Clum. Chancey, 
Donnelly, James, 
Debo, Charles, Jr., 
Daubner, John, 
Everson, William F., 
Elwood, James, 
Eckard, John, 
Fitzgerald, Thomas, 
Faror, John, 
Forsyth, George, 
Freeman, Alonzo, 
Green, Nathaniel. 
Halsted, Isaac W., 
Haskard, Charles. 
Haskard, Thomas, 
Hart, Gustavus A., 
Herdt, Christian, 
Keller. Herfl-y. 
Kain. Michael. 
Kershaw, Samuel, 
Kantner, Charles, 
Lloyd, George K., 
Lightholder. Patrick, 
Lobb, Benjamin. 
Laylor, William T., 
Lambert, Joseph. 
Miller, Joseph W.. 
McGregor, .Vmos B., 
Mulford. Joseph II.. 
Merrick. Joseph, 
McTague, James, 



McCullough, Robert M., 
Mapel, David A., 
McGuire, Thomas, 
McDonald, James, 
Morgan, Ashbel, 
McDonnell, Alexander, 
Miller, John A., 
McLaughlin, James, 
Nicholas, Thomas S.. 
Nicholas, William F., 
Nicholas, Alphonzo, 
Nicholas, Samuel, 
Oliver, James H.. 
Ogden, Joseph G., Jr., 
Onstead, William H., 
Parker. William H., 
Penn, David E., 
Provost, Isaac S., 
Pester, Charles F., 
Parker, John, 
Rhodes, Nathan C. 
Reeves, Samuel. 
Reed, Samuel J.. 
Scott. William. 
Shen, John, 
Solomon, Charles, 
Stansbury, Joseph S., 
Smith, Richard. 
Silvers, Jordan, 
Squier, William W., 
Thorn, Linton, 
Trowbridge, LIzal H., 
Williams, James H.. 
Wolstenhorne. James, 
Worrell, Benjamin, 
Walton, William, 
Williams. Elijah F., 
Welton, Hezekiah. 
Wortley. John. 
Curley, James, 
Crosein, Cornelius, 
Knowlton. Charles W. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



461 



COMPANY B. 

Sylvester Van Sickell, Captain. 

William H. Tantem, First Lieutenant. 

John Parker, Second Lieutenant. 

A. Brainard Jerome, First Sergeant. 

Henry S. Leggett, Sergeant. 

George W. Burling, " 

Thomas Cunningham " 

Melville Packer, " 

Nathan Brown, Corporal. 

Thomas Davis, " 

William B. Thorn, 

William V. Corvell, 

Alfred H. Anderson " 

William Snyder, " 

Ellis B. Smith, 

Henry O'Harra, " 

Abraham Voorhees Fifer. 

Peter S. Briest Drummer. 

George Long, Teamster.' 

Allen Hopkins, Wagoner. 

Privates. 



Abraham, Cornelius, 
Allen, Silas A., 
Archer, John W., 
Barclay, John M., Jr., 
Bell, Charles, 
Bown, William H., 
Berry, Thomas, 
Barnet, Samuel, 
Buckalew, James, 
Connley, James, 
Coon, Charles, 
Campbell, Charles R, 
Connell, Andrew, 
Conover, Charles S., 
Cox, James P., 
Cocks, Andrew, 
Covert, Nathan, 
Davis, Charles F., 
Davis, Lafferd T., 
De Hart, William, 
Everham, Joseph, 
■Fields, Charles, 
Feyhel, Charles, 

30 If" B 



Fee, Thomas, 
Fields, Clayton, 
Grover, Thomas R., 
Geary, Peter B. 
Hutchinson, George H. 
Hutchinson, Henry C., 
Hughes, William, 
Hankins, Samuel W., 
Hankins, Zachariah, 
Haley, James, 
Hulfish, John N.. 
Heidweiler, Henry K.. 
Jones, Henry, 
Justice, James W., 
Kelley, William H., 
Kraft, Charles, 
Kelly, Edward, 
Kite, John H., 
King, William, 
Laird, Francis W., 
Lanning, Peter, 
Lamb, John S., 
Lippincott. Yardley, 



462 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



Lalor, Thomas, 
Lake, Israel F., 
Lindsey, John, 
Long, Charles H., 
Long, George, 
Mclnnis, George, 
Melman, Charles, 
Moore, Thomas, 
Martin, William H., 
Mundy, Charles, 
Meredith, James, 
Morris, John. 
Mendham, George, 
O'Hara, John, 
O'Brien, Michael. 
Prince, Joseph, 
Ryall, James A., 
Redman, William H., 
Reeder, Charles J., 
Skillman, Frederick V. D., 



Smith, James C., 
Scales, Isaac. 
Scales, Stephen. 
Searfoss, Charles, 
Thorn, Benjamin F., 
Terhune, John H., 
Terhune, Cornelius, 
Vanhart, Sherman, 
Van Sickel, William, 
Voorhees, William B., 
Voorhees. John C, 
Williams. William, 
Wikoff, Peter, 
Willets, Joseph T., 
Williamson, William H., 
Whitlock, Jacob, 
Walsh, Alfred H., 
Whitlock, John, 
Whitlock, George W. H. 
Zink, Samuel. 



COMPANY C. 

William Birney, Captain. 

Samuel H. Parisen, First Lieutenant. 

Ephraim G. Brewster, Second Lieutenant 

Joseph C. Jackson, "' 

William H. Benton, First Sergeant. 

Edward H. Roberts, Sergeant. 

James S. Sawyer, 

Thomas Carmichael 

James Kearney Smith, '' 

Edward W. H. Graham Corporal. 

Philip Stumpf 

John J. Perry, '' 

Stacy J. Disbrow " 

William Campbell, Sr 

James D. Bown, 

David W. Martin, 

Enos Van Marter " 

Jacob Booze, *. .Fifer. 

Sebastian Mayer Drummer 

Howard Snedaker, Wagoner. 



Privates. 



Balcoe, Theodore, 
Bartlctt. Thomas, J.^ 
Blake, Samuel, 
Bergeon, Variance, 
Biedeman, John, 



Bruch, Thomas, 
Bush, John L., 
Campbell, Samuel W. 
Campbell, William, Ji 
Campain, William, 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



463 



Clark, Thomas, 
Carrigan, Thomas, 
Cheeseman, George, 
Conover, George W., 
Conover, Ralph M., 
Conover, Thomas, 
Cody, Martin, 
Conner, John W., 
Connolly, Peter, 
Cooly, Thomas W., 
Cox, James, 
Day, Andrew, 
Dart, Allen M., 

Dilling, Henry. 
Disbrow, William H. H., 

Donihew, James, 

Downie, Thomas S., 

Exner, Charles, 

Faber, Albert, 

Fallen, John, 

Frew, William, 

Fields, George, 

Ford, Joseph, 

Foster, Arthnr, 

Foster, John, 

Gray, Henr}', 

Guinot, Jean F., 

Hall, Charles, 

Hallman, Henry,' 

Hamilton, William, 

Hamilton, Archy, 

Holmes, Thomas, 

Horner, William, 

luscho, Isaac F., 

Kenny, Thomas, 

Jones, Thomas, 

Longstreet, William H., 

Longstreet, Stephen, 
Lott, Thomas, 



Lyons, Theodore, 
Mallon, Patrick, 
Maly, John, 
Maguire, Patrick, 
Marks, Augustus, 
Miller, George, 
Miller, Henri, 
Mount, Robert, 
Murray, Daniel, 
Newcombe, Michael, 
Noe, Adam, 
O'Donnell, Patrick, 
O'Neil, John, 
Phelan, Thomas C. 
Pierson, James L-, 
Perrine, Thomas J., 
Price, John, 
Quigley, James, 
Reed, James, 
Reed, Nicholas, 
Reilly, Michael, 
Roberts, Charles H.. 
Renoles, John, 
Rogers, Bernard, 
Sharback, William, 
Swan, Carlie, 
Stafford, Joseph, 
Silvers, Charles H., 
Stafford, Thomas, 
Sweitzer, George. J., 
Sullivan, Humphrey. 
Traffe, Joseph, 
Tappan, David B., 
Winchester, Perley F. 
Wittenberg, Gustav, 
White, James, 
Wlhite, George. 
Welch, Dennis, 
Willever, Thomas D. 



COMPANY D. 

Valentine Mutchler, .Captain. 

Henrv A. McLaughlin Pi'-'f Lieutenant. 

Charles Sitgreaves, ^^^««^ Lieutenant. 

Charles W. Mutchler, ^'>^^ Sergeant. 

J. B. Woodward, Sergeant. 

Willard S. Wood, 

George Beaumont ^^ 

Edward H. Swayze, 



464 



FIRST NEW. JERSEY BRIGADE. 



John S. Dilts .Corporal. 

Paul Gravet, 

Wilbur F. Lovell, 

Samuel B. Mutchler 

Jacob L. Ricker 

John S. Ryan, 

Charles Seagraves 

John Warner, 

James J. Krom Fifer. 

Frank Murray, Drummer. 

William H. Shrope Wagoner. 



Privates. 



Armstrong, Abraham, 
Allen, Edward H., 
Allinson, Joseph, 
Andrews, Thomas T., 
Allen, Theodore, 
Barnes, Peter H., 
Beavers, George B., 
Baker, Charles, 
Britton, Charles A., 
Bender, Zachariah, 
Beckwith, Robert S., 
Baylor, Nelson J., 
Burns, Thomas, 
Bennett, Winchester T., 
Corby, Alonzo D.^ 
Cameron, James, 
Campbell, Joseph A., 
Carhart, Theodore, 
Creveling, George W., 
Carr, William S., 
Calkins, Calvin, 
Dimond, Andrew, 
Devlin, Barnard, 
Emmons, William E., 
Emmons, George, 
Edwards, Andrew, 
Fagan, Martin. 
Flood, James, 
Frazee, David, 
Fehr, Edward, 
George, William, 
Gano, John, 
Grant, Francis, 
Hairie, Philip, 
Hallock, Josiah M., 
Heaney, George S., 



Hoffman, William G., 
Hoff, Daniel, 
Hough, Robert N., 
Hummel, George E., 
Huff, William, 
Hutchings, Ezra J., 
Haley, Thomas, 
Kinney, Jesse, 
Kirby, John W., 
Larkins, William H., 
Liddle, Joseph, 
Levers, Jeremiah, 
Lippincott, Charles. 
Leonard, Thomas, 
Linton, Samuel, 
Merrill, William, 
Meeker, Melancthon, 
McGary, William, 
Myers, John. 
Miller, Albert J.. 
Mutchler, Andrew J. 
Myers, Peter, 
Neal, William T., 
Nichols. Isaac W., 
Nye, Zachariah, 
Piatt, William E., 
Price, Charles, 
Pierson, Wellington, 
Quigley, John, 
Rothrock, Edward W. 
Ross, James, E., 
Rainer, Alexander G., 
Rondaham, James. 
Sweeney. John, 
Saylor, John, 
Steward, William A.. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



465 



Stockman, James, 
Schoonover, John, 
Slack, Ralph R., 
Stead, Peter, 
Stern, Charles, 
Stebbins, Samuel W., 
Taylor, Peter S., 



Vanfossen, Barnet, 
Wesley, Joseph S., 
Wilke, Henry, 
West, Daniel, 
Willever, Edward. 
Weir, Archibald, 
Witte, John R. 



COMPANY E. 

Charles N. Pelouze, Captain. 

A. Stewart Taylor, First Lieutenant. 

James B. Shields, " 

Francis B. Holt, Seeond Lieutenant. 

Edward A. Hermon, First Sergeant. 

William H. Gilbert, Sergeant. 

Samuel W. Lesenby, " 

William E. VandersHce,' " 

Jacob H. Plum, 

John Fitzgerald, Corporal. 

Jacob Hill, 

WilHam Anderson, 

William L. Hartman, 

John C. Lyamchus, 

Emmer K. Ramsey, 

Jacob Brinisholly, 

Jacob Ristine, .- " 

Augustus B. Conrad, Fifer. 

John W. Wilson, Drummer. 

Joseph H. Duttan, Wagoner. 

Samuel Cline, Pioneer. 



Privates. 



Anderson, David, 
Anthony, Charles T., 
Adam, George, 
Alfred, Charles J., 
Allshouse, Stewart H., 
Brown, John, 
Bruden, John, 
Budd, Benjamin, 
Bechtel, Henry, 
Cook, WilHam, 
Cabin, Frederick J., 
Carney, James H., 
Clinghman, Albert, 
Dalton, Thomas B., 
Driggits, Daniel, 
Dilks, Jacob E- 



Dier, Christopher, 
Fisher, Joseph F., 
Foster, Joseph W., 
Groskinsky, Joseph, 
Gratz, William, 
Grumn, Peter A., 
Good, William H., 
Glespy, James, 
Hyser, Daniel N., 
Hills, John, 
Hopswood, Ralph, 
Hogust, George, 
Hook, James, 
Irwin, William, 
JoHne, Andrew J., 
Jacob, Thomas, 



466 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



Jordan, Andrew, 

Kelly, John H., 

Lunny, Edward, 

Logan, David (or Daniel), 

Long, CharleSj 

Mulhan, August, 

Murray, Charles^ 

McDonald, John, 

Miller, Samuel, 

Mead, Seth. 

McCombe, William. 

Miles, Edward, 

Malin, Alfred, 

McDowell, Edward, 

McGanghey, Alexander, 

McLaughlin, Charles, 

Mace, Conrad, 

Neville, William, 

Norton, Charles, 

Olt, Joseph, 

Oldham, Alexander, 

Osterday, Gotthilf, 

O'Reagan, Michael, 

Patton. Henry K., 

Peter, Simon, 



Russel, Thomas, 
Pimlott, James H., 
Redfield, John H.. 
Read, Edward, 
Roby. Benjamin H., 
Swope, William H., 
Sparks, Charles, 
Spond, George, 
Stowe, John C.,.. 
Sheila, Adam, 
Swemy, Peter, 
Stehr, Edward, 
Skyrm, John, 
Schwarz, Frederick, 
Schwarz, August, 
Wolf, Nathaniel M., 
Nolan, Patrick, 
Whitman, Emerick, 
Weedman, Cliristopher. 
Wheeler, Jacob S., 
Wheaton, William H., 
Yeager, Nicholas, 
Yeager, Charles, 
Young, George W. 



COMPANY' F. 



Enos Fourat, Captain. 

H. C. Warner, First Lieutenant. 

David Thompson " " 

John H. Voorhees, Second Lieutenant. 

Isaac L. F. Elkin First Sergeant. 

Joseph Ryno Sergeant. 

Tames W. Dehart " 

Albert L. Blue 

George Smith, 

George Taylor, Corporal. 

John H. Croken 

Thomas McElhany, " 

Miles Garrigan, 

William S. Hughes, 

Richard B. Voorhees, 

Benjamin L. Moffat 

Lloyd O. Souville 

John H. Hutchinson Fifcr. 

James A. Croken, Drtimmer. 

Tlmmas Carrol Wagoner. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



467 



Privates. 



Archer, George W., 

Barry, Richard, 

Britton, Edward M., 

Boyle, Thomas. 

Brennan, William. 

Brabbin, Moses, 

Burns, James, 

Blake, Price P., 

Breese, William H., 

Burke, Peter. 

Boice. Ambrose, 

Cain, Felix, 

Currie, Thomas W., 

Chandler, Charles S., 

Cook, Samuel, 

Christian, Henry P., 

Carron, John. 

Davison. John T.. 

Denton, James, 

Dunn. George W., 

Dunn, Patrick, 

Dobson, Alexander, 

Dobson, Henry, 

Engster, John Jacob, 

Finegan, Edward, 

Ferguson, Daniel, 
Ferguson, Philip. 

Fleming, Christopher, 
Ferry, James, 
Frank, Charles, 
Gaisbauer, Charles^ 
Gack, Jacob, 
Gansey, Silas, 
Heward. Francis, 
Haggerty, Bernard, 
Hooker. George W., 
Henry. Walter M., 
Hazard. John N., 
Hickey, Thomas, 
Hiner, Philetus, 
Hoagland. Wyckoff V., 
Johnson. Joseph W.. 
Jones. Thomas, 



Jacques, David H., 

Klein, John, 

Kemp, Thomas, 

Kinney, Daniel, 

Lester, John H., 

Lingstrif, Edwin, 

Lowry, James, 

Levins, John, 

McGrath, Morris, 

McDonald, Martin, 

McGorem, Peter, 

McSpaden, James, 

Miller, John, 

Martin, John, 

Matlack, Samuel J., 

Morris, John, 

Myers, Julius, 

O'Connor, John, 

O'Neil, John, 

Osman, George H.. 

Prall, David B. S., 

Plum, Benijah M., 

Pixson, Henry A.. 

Page, John D., 

Page, Enochj 

Reed, Stephen M., 

Reams, Patrick H., 

Royer, Moses H., 

Roads, Edmon R., 

Ryker, Joseph L., 

Swan. George, 

Stout, William A., 

Struck, Cornelius W., 

Smith, Edward W., 

Soden, James D., 

Ten Broeck, Van Reneslaer. 

Van Tilburgh, William, 

Voorhees, George W., 

Wlhildey, Clet R., 

Welsh, Michael, 

Welsh, Patrick, 

Welsh, Thomas, 

Wilson. George. 



468 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



COMPANY G. 

Alexander M. Way, Captain. 

Robert Boggs, '. First Lieutenant. 

Jacob D. Wyckoff, Second Lieutenant. 

Howard M. Gillman, First Sergeant. 

Francis S. Keese, Sergeant. 

William S. Provost, Sergeant. 

John S. Bliss, " 

George D. Troth, 

Peter I. Duncan, Corporal. 

John McCarl, 

Nicholas W. Meserole, 

Jeremiah G. Snow, 

Augustus D. Van Lieu, 

Isaac S. Halsted, 

Nathaniel H. Van Arsdale, 

William F. Dansberry, 

John H. Van Lieu, Fifer. 

George R. Buzzee, Drummer. 

Patrick D. Gallagher, Wagoner. 



Privates. 



Abrahams. Austin, 
Buckley, John, 
Buzzee, Alexander, 
Brewster, Daniel, 
Bogert, Charles C, 
Bums, John, 
Baird, Isaac, 
Cawley, James S., 
Carman, Isa C, 
Campbell, Ellias B., 
Clark, James H., 
Clayton, William H., 
Davis, William L., 
Dehart, James H., 
Dehart, Jacob S., 
Delhanty, John, 
Dooley, John, 
Dresser, George W., 
English, Alfred A., 
English, Samuel J., 
Forges. Daniel R.. 
Felmy, William H., 
Hughes, Francis. 
Haggetry, Noah C., 
Holcroft, Thomas, 
Halberstadt, James, 



Huff, William H., 
Hendrickson, George W., 
Henderson. William, 
Hoagland, Henrj- C. 
Johnson, Robert A., 
Jones, Frederick R., 
Kershaw, Charles A., 
Kirkpatrick, John, 
Kinsey, Harrison, 
Kelly, Alexander P., 
Kelly, Edward, 
Lawrence, John, 
Lewis, John T.. 
Lewis, William H. H., 
Loyd, William, 
Lilley, James H., 
Long, Edward B., 
McClelland, George D., 
Mintum. Edward. Jr., 
Minturn. Benjamin G.. 
Marsh, Reuben G., 
Madden, John. 
Miller, Charles H., 
McDowell, William, 
Meserole, William, 
Magill, Robert H., 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



469 



Painter, Joseph H., 
Phillips, Theodore F., 
Price, George W., Jr., 
Perdum, Charles, 
Pohlman, William H., 
Pette, Charles A., 
Peacock, John, 
Rausch, Peter, 
Roberts, Austin, 
Seibert, George, 
Staut, Charles, 
Stage, Mehlon M., 
Skillman, David, 
Struble, Wallace, 
Sargent, Frank, 
Staats, Henry, 
Saltz, William, 
Snow, James, Jr., 
Smith, Osceola, 



Shute, George W., 
Staats, Abram G., 
Turner, John W., 
Van Derbilt, Cornelius. 
Van Arsdale, Phillip, 
Van Duyne, Isaac, 
Van Fleet, Abraham, 
Van Dusen, Charles A., 
Wight, George B., 
White, Robert H., 
Weaver, David R., 
Williams, Edward, 
Webb, Charles H., 
Winter, William H., 
Whitehead, John C. 
Williamson, John A., 
Williamson, Theodore, 
Williamson, Peter, 
Williamson, Isaac B. ■ 



COMPANY H. 

Isaac H. Baker, Captain. 

Edward C. Page, First Lieutenant. 

Joseph B. Eltringham, " " 

Aaron B. Jerome, Second Lieutenant. 

John D. Trimmer, First Sergeant. 

Jeremiah C. Rappleyea, Sergeant. 

Bodlej- Brockhurst, " 

Forrest Keney, 

George E. Griffin, " 

Joseph Elliott, Corporal. 

Charles Norris, 

John Gerity, 

George W. Teese, 

Joseph Ferguson, ' 

John W. Stringham, 

Edward Develin, 

Huberts Bixby, 

Oliver Conkling, Drummer. 

John W. Flynn, Fifer. 

John McGlone, Wagoner. 

Charles Seeley, Pioneer. 



Privates. 



Atkinson, Joseph H., 
Burnby, WiUiam, 
Burns, Lawrence, 
Browning, William H., 
Bissonett, John B., 



Bright, Anthony, 
Bright, James, 
Burkett, John, 
Cahoo, Joseph, 
Cook, Robert, 



470 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



Calahan, Dennis A.. 
Costo, Anthony, 
Christian, Daniel W., 
Caden, George W., 
Corson, Isaac W., 
Deigel, Jacob, 
Donnelly, Edward A., 
Diamond, James, 
Eltringham, John, Jr., 
English, Owen, 
Foster, Thomas^ 
Farley, James, 
Fetters, John A., 
Gaskell, Charles H., 
Gruff, Charles, 
George, David, 
Hampton, William, 
Haggarty, James. 
Hunton, Robert, 
Hatwell, William, 
Hormung, George, 
Hibner, John, 
Harney, Patrick, 
Hummel, Sylvester, 
Ibbs, William, 
Johnston, Tliomas, 
Jackman, Walter E., 
Jelly, John, 
Johnston, Rush, 
Johnston, John, 
Kelly, Isaac, 
Kelly, Thomas, 
Keough, Edward, 
Kinley. William, 
Kreidler, James. 
Kostigan, Martin, 
Kyle, William, 
Lamb, John C, 
Lacey, David J., 



L3'ons, Thomas, 
Murray, George W., 
Mullony, William. 
Montbar, Harry. 
McDonald, Thomas. 
McQueeny, Michael, 
Mjullen, George, 
McCardle, James, 
AlcCarty, Dennis, 
McWilliams. Samuel. 
Murphy, Michael, 
Morrow, William J.. 
Mitchell, Mahlon, 
Meyers. William C. 
McCreight, Robert, 
McCreedy, John, 
McMullin, Francis, 
Brien, John O., 
Painter, Thomas W., 
Pete, Charles, 
Purcell, Joseph, 
Russell, Charles, 
Rodgers, Daniel, 
Shurtz, Ross J., 
Seeley, John, 
Smith, Edward. 
Styles, William, 
Swartout, John D., 
Tatem. James. 
Tool, James, 
Whitmore, James T.. 
White, John, 
Wannan. George, 
Walton, Pearson N., 
Walker, William. 
Williams, John, 
Wyckoff. William. 
Westerfield. John. 



COMPANY I. 

John D. P. Mount, Captain. 

Augustus O. Evans, First Lieutenant. 

Edward G. Brown, Second Lieutenant. 

Bailey B. Brown, First Sergeant. 

Allen ?I. Kirkham Sergeant. 

Benjamin Iliggins. Jr., 

Nathaniel Smith, 

Richard A, Donnelly 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



471 



Eleazor Hull, Jr Corporal. 

Julius Houriett, 

Madison M. Cannon 

Theodore Fashiero, 

Edward Danielson 

John Mak, 

James B. Van Dyke 

Charles Tanner, 

Warren Conklin Drummer. 

Albert Cox, Wagoner. 



Privates. 



Anderson, Charles E., 
Bradford. John, 
Baptis, James S., 
Brown, Charles A., 
Ba Dow, Cyprian, 
Berner, Charles W., 
Brad}', William, 
Brown, Henry, 
Bowes, Michael, 
Burns, John, 
Brady, Charles W., 
Bunting, William, 
Butterworth, Edward, 
Brown, Michael, 
Chasmer, John, 
Colgan, Bernard, 
Chandler, William E., 
Clarkson, George, 
Craft, Reuben, 
Carpenter, Alonzo, 
Campbell, Kiren 
Carroll, John, 
Dunn, William, 
Danielson, James, 
Drummon, George L-, 
Dewey, William, 
Duncan, James, 
Ferris, Charles, 
Fewkes, George, 
Farrell, Peter, 
Polsom, Joseph, 
Ford, Charles, 
Francisco, Angelo, 
Gerhart, John B., 
Grey, William, 
Grant, Noah, 
Gibson, George," 



Hobson, Joseph, 
Hopkins, Charles F., 
Hollinger, Edward N. 
Johnson, William H., 
King, Henry, 
Kirlon, Patrick, 
Kenyon, Leonard B., 
Kipp, George I., 
Kirlon, Michael, 
Kearey, William S., 
Lieze, John, 
Lawrence, Mark, 
Lozier, Albert, 
Lundy, William, 
Liebrick, Philip, 
Lane, George, 
Lincoln, Alfred N., 
Mak, John, 
Mitchell, Louis, 
Moore, Thomas L., 
McGrath, John, 
Moroney, Matthew, 
McGourty, Patrick, 
Morris, William, 
McDowell, Isaac, 
Neron, William E., 
Outwater, John W., 
Outwater, Richard, 
Ostrander, Ralph, 
Payne, Silas A., 
Pierson, George W., 
Pierson, William, 
Pettit, Patrick, Sr., 
Rooney, Patrick, 
Silverie, John H., 
Syfle, James, 
Snell, William H. H., 



472 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



Sellier, Emile, 
Symes, John, 
Symes, Aaron S., 
Smith, George W., 
Smith, John, 
Smith, Thomas, 



Townley, WiUiam, 
Uprichard, Thomas, 
Van Glahn, George, 
Westerfield, Cornelius E., 
Way, Walter E., 
Wallington, Samuel D. 



COMPANY K. 

Charles Consmiller, Captain. 

William R. Harrison, first Lieutenant. 

Antonio C. Demling, Second Lieutenant. 

Frederick Hoeber, First Sergeant. 

Ferdinand Werner, Sergeant. 

Philip Nicholas, > . 

Herrnan Schlick, 

Ferdinand Flemming, 

Robert Bartmann, Corporal. 

William Misera, 

Adolphus Waidman, 

Philip Phildius, 

Theodore Beese, 

Oscar Gsellius, 

David Weickmann, 

Louis Beese, 

Mathew Conklin, Fifer. 

Conrad Schnell, Drummer. 

Andrew Kron, Wagoner. 



PrizHitcs. 



Beissbarth, Michael, 
Billing, Henry, 
Baedt, Charles, 
Boeckman, Charles, 
Boeder, Christian, 
Breitzman, Anthony, 
Bauder, Frederick, 
Diehl, Lawrence, 
Dose, Henry, 
Eger, Henry, 
Furchtenicht, Augustus, 
Fehr, Jacob, 
Flatten, Wenand, 
Furlong, James, 
Fugmann, Conrad, 
Franke, Frederick, 
Fugman, Conrad, 
Gruber, Edward, 
Gettermann, Rudolph, 
Goetlig, John, 



Gerlach, Adam, 
Hamilton, John T., 
Haessner, Ernst, 
Hagen, Louis, 
Hoefle, Paul, 
Hoefle, Martin, 
Haessner, Emil. 
Haarer, Frederic, 
Ihl, Edward, 
Kramer, Henry, 
Krause, Henning, 
Kick, Gustavus, 
Kick, Henry, 
Koehler, Henry, 
Kaufmann, Adolphus, 
Layton, James F., 
Leonard, Gustavus, 
Lachmund, Henry, 
Loewenthal, George, 
Leonhardt, Gustave, 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



473 



Lew, Ernst, 
Lindemann, Adolphus, 
Laughewitz; Edward, 
Liebel, John, 
Languth, George, 
Loerrer, William, 
Muller, Hermann, 
Mandelbaum, Simon, 
Meyer, Charles, 
Muller, Frederick C, 
Mendel, Jacob, 
Mendle, G., 
Merckes, Charles, 
Nienn, August, 
Noll, Emil, 
Newbauer, Casper, 
Pope, Arthur, 
Pitschan, John, 
Remzheimer, Peter, 
Render, Philip, 
Raible, William, 
Ruhl, George, 
Schmidt, Augustus, 



Schaumbery, George F., 
Schmidt, Frederic, 
Schmalz, Frederick, 
Scheibel, Charles A., 
Schumann, Hugo, 
Schmidt, Charles, 
Stadermann, Adam, 
Springstreet, Louis, 
Siemon, John, 
Schuler, Francis, 
Tanzer, Theodore, 
Ulrich, Charles, 
Vernum, William, 
Voight, Peter, 
Vogel, William, 
Werner, Andrew, 
Werner, John, 
Winter, John, 
Wurm, August, 
Walker, Louis, 
Weidinger, Conrad, 
Zimmerman, Gotlieb. 



Second Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers. 



George W. McLean, Colonel. 

Isaac M. Tucker, Lieutenant-Colonel. 

Samuel L. Buck, Major. 

Henry O. Ryerson, 

Joseph W. Plume, Adjutant. 

William E. Sturgis Quartermaster. 

Gabriel Grant, Surgeon. 

Lewis W. Oakley, Assistant Surgeon. 

Robert R. Proudfit, Chaplain. 

Charles C. Lockwood Sergeant-Major. 

Isaac H. Plume, 

John T. Whitehead, Quartermaster Sergeant. 

Abram N. Mockridge, Commissary Sergeant. 

Luther G. Thomas, Hospital Steicard. 

Aaron D. Crane, Quartermaster Sergeant. 

BAND. 

John Adam Reinhart, Principal Musician. 

John Lisher Assistant Principal Musician.^ 



474 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



Musicians. 



Bayer, John, 
Bayer, Henry, 
Burger, John R., 
Becher, Conrad, 
Bickel, Constantine, 
Bayer, Adam, 
Drey, Henry, 
Farrell, Thomas, 
Fielder, Sophron, 
Gaul, Adam, 
Hadfield, John, 
Higgonbothom, Edwin. 
Jaeger, Martin, 



Karg, Martin, 
Mellick, Michael, 
Moore, Stephen, 
Naurkramm, Carl, 
Nicholas, Kaspar, 
Rubsam, Carl F. A. 
Schleyer, Charles, 
Schwinfist, Kaspar. 
Sunderhaft, John, 
Walther, Leopold, 
Juminger, Adam. 
Hillregel, Daniel, 
Seitz, Frederick. 



John H. Vanhouten, 
Charles Kent 



. Drum-Major. 
IVagonmastcr. 



COMPANY A. 

James Wilson, -. Captain. 

Richard Hopwood, " 

Bradbury C. Chetwood, first Lieutenant. 

William J. Cree, Second Lieutenant. 

William H. Williams, " 

Jacob Dixon, First Sergeant. 

Nathan C. Tooker, Sergeant. 

George B. Franklin, " 

Henry W. Cozine, " 

Anthony J. Danneberger, 

William M. Shipman, Corporal. 

George N. Potter, 

John Clampitt, 

Michael Howard, 

Joseph J. Danneberger 

John Dixon, 

Augustus R. Brown, 

William G. Struck, Fifer. 

Horace L. Ames, Drummer. 

George Lake Fifer. 

Johnson. Gilbert S., IVagoner. 



Privates. 



Allen, Edwards, 
Bartine, S. Porter, 
Barto, Henry. 
Brady. William L., 
Rallingcr. William P.. 



Bueston, Joseph L. 
Broderick, Joel S.. 
Bryan, George. 
Brown, John 
Callender. William. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



475 



Chicester, David, 
Christman, Jacob, 
Cole, William A., 
Conger, John H., 
Cordo, John, 
Daft, John J., 
Davenport, William S., 
Davis, Charles C, 
Donovan, Joseph. 
Dartkompt, Carl, 
Durling, Theodore H., 
Elsaser, George, 
Essex, David, 
Essex, Edward, 
Farr, John, 
Fox, Franklin W., 
Garnier, Albert L-. 
Haley, John, 
Harkins, John, 
Hedges, Edwin W., 
Hensen, William J., 
Hopkins, Augustus H. 
Hughes, Hugh, 
Hurder, Henry A., 
Hurst, Nathaniel, 
Johnson, Robert. 
Johnson, William, 
Judge, James P.. 
Ketch, Peter, 
King, William N.. 
Laing, William H., 
Lambka, William F., 
Landy. Timothy. 
Laughlin, Paul J.. 
Lewis, Horace E., 
Lovett, James M., 
Low, Cornelius A., 
Lynn, William, 
Meeker. John M.. 
Middlebrook, Aaron L-, 
Middledorf. Henry, 
Moore, William H., 
McCurdv, Samuel. 



McDonald, James H., 
McGregor, Alexander, 
McNair, Alexander, 
Neitzelt, Paul, 
Noble, Joshua F., 
Nicholas, Charles, 
Ogden, Francis M., 
Parsons, Hiram R., 
Polster, John, 
Randolph, Lewis F., 
Ridden, Harvey, 
Rush, Samuel, 
Scarlet, George W., 
Schumuck, George, 
Samson, David, 
Schardine, John, 
Schell, Leonard, 
Schiefer, Adam, 
Stell, Joseph, 
Thorn, Martin, 
Van Hart, Martin, 
Van Horn, William, 
Van Voorhees, Charles H. 
Van Syckle, Franklin, 
Waldron, Jerome, 
Warnock, James, 
Walsh, Michael, 
Waterman, William H., 
Waver, Bernard, 
Waters, Israel B., 
White, John, 
White, Theodore, 
Wilkinson, Isaac D. 
Williamson, Dennis H., 
Wilson, Henry, 
Winn, Frank, 
Wobbe, John A., 
Wodey, George, 
Heywood, Lucius M., 
Cleveland, E. J-, 
Duyer, 
Wettzel, Paul. 



476 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



COMPANY B. 

Henry O. Ryerson Captain. 

Henry P. Cook, First Lieutenant. 

John A. Wildrick, " 

Jacob H. Hoffman, Second Lieutenant . 

William W. Vanvoy First Sergeant. 

Isaac S. Durling, Sergeant. 

John R. Northrup, " 

Sidney H. McCarter, " 

Charles H. Carrell Corporal. 

Job J. Johnson, " 

Joseph C. Boss, " 

Richard J. Wilson 

John W. Donnell, 

Watson L. Allen, " 

Edgar Van Etten " 

Ralph B. Thrall, 

Isaac S. Jones, Fifcr. 

Alexander Myers Drummer. 

William Dolland Wagoner. 



Privates. 



Armstrong, John W.. 
Armstrong, James, 
Allen, John, 
Arvine, James C, 
Anderson, Theodore F., 
Alberston, Sanford S-, 
Bonnell, Jacob. 
Bronson, Oscar A., 
Calbury, John P., 
Cox, John B., 
Cory, Gophar H.. 
Dawson, Richard, 
Dietz, Abraham, 
Drake, Nathaniel S., 
Drake. Ira B.. 
Doland, James, 
Estill, Samuel M., 
Frace, John, 
Foguson, Dewitt, 
Ford, James T., 
Card. David A., 
Gardner. John C. 
Gaiil, William, 
Hart, David, 
Hotalen, Alanson M., 



Holan, James, 
Henderson, David. 
Howell, Isaac C, 
Hull, Stewart, 
Hornbeck. Benjamin. 
Johnson, John R.. 
Johnson, David E., 
Kimple, Lorenzo, 
Koyt, Theodore M.. 
Kinney, James A., 
Kyte, Charles L., 
Kehoe, John, 
Lawrence. John L-, 
Lindaberry, Andrew T. 
Lozier, Alexander H., 
Lantz, George G., 
Lantz, John T., 
Martin, George. 
McBride. William. 
Meddaugh, Benjamin. 
Mocoy, Charles C, 
McKee, George, 
Mehellem, Jonathan, 
Parliman, Isaac, 
Rogers, William H.. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



in 



Rothbarth, David, 
Roff, Silas R., 
Ruo, Mark B., 
Roserkrance, William H., 
Stute, George, 
Smith, Beemer J., 
Smith, Jacob, 
Smith, Samuel R., 
Shearer, William W., 
Stevens, Charles H., 
Sturgess, Joseph G., 
Stickles, John W., 
Sturtevant, Francis, 
Snover, Edwin H., 
Shauger, James D., 
Shauger, William H., 
Stiles, John, 
Stackhouse, Joseph C, 



Sanford, Joliu C, 
Sayre, George H., 
Teller, Mathew S., 
Turner, John E.. 
Simpkins, Isaac I., 
Fidaback, James, 
Fidaback, Daniel, 
Thompson, Albert W., 
Teller, Joseph H., 
Trellase, Elijah T., 
Vanover, Henry, 
Vangorden, Charles, 
Van Emburg, George, 
Vliet, William, 
Vanriper, Abraham, 
Wintermale, Andrew G. 
Wlintermale, Edgar K. 



COMPANY C. 

James N. Duffy, Captain. 

Garrett Brady, First Lieutenant. 

David Duffy, Second Lieutenant. 

Wiliam Bergen, First Sergeant. 

O'Connell J. O'Callaghan, Sergeant. 

William O'Connor, " 

Christopher Farley, " 

Arthur P. Hughes, " 

Menzias Doland, ,. Corporal. 

Edmund English, " 

Henry Criqui, " 

Patrick Mallague, " 

Hugh McMonagle, 

Isaac Ardill, " 

Patrick Egan, 

John B. Knight, 

Edward Johndrew Fifer. 

Hugh B. Shields, Drummer. 

Patrick Tenney, Wagoner. 



Privates. 



Adams, William, 
Allen, George H., 
Anglehart, Sebastian, 
Battaille, Edward, 
Barron, Robert, 
Blake, Richard M., 
Brady, James, 
Bracken, Anthony, 
31 F B 



Burns, Patrick, 
Burns, John, 
Burns, Thomas, 
Carlan, Bernard, 
Callan, Patrick, 
Cavanagh, John, 
Cavanagh, James, 
Chardivoyne, Stephen R. 



478 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



Cody, Edward, 
Casey, Thomas, 
Coyle, Andrew, 
Cahill, George, 
Dalzell, Alexander, 
Duffy, William, 
Dempsey, James, 
Dooner, Hugh, 
Dignan, Bernard, 
Devine, Patrick, 
Degraw, Cornelius, 
Emmerson, William, 
Flaherty, William, 
Flynn, David, 
Fagan, Patrick, 
Fell, John, 
Fitzsimmons, Owen, 
Fox, Solomon J., 
Fitzpatrick, Thomas, 
Gemmell, Alexander, 
Gibney, Patrick, 
Grimes, Thomas, 
Gunn, Michael, 
Hesser, James, 
Hickey, Thomas, 
Higgins, John, 
Hamilton, Lawrence, 
Honeywell, Robert M., 
Horton, William, 
Hefrin. James, 
Hooley, Thomas, 
Johnston, Andrew, 
Johndrew, Abram, 
Kelley, Finton, 
Kauffman, Frederick, 



Kendall, Thomas. 
Langhran, Patrick, 
Low, James, 
Leddy, John, 
Lumaree, Charles, 
Lyndon, James P., 
Mulgrave, James, 
Mellor, Samuel, 
Morris, Owen, 
Marron, Edward, 
Marshall, Thomas P., 
McColligan, Hugh, 
McCarthy, John, 
McDermott, William, 
McDonald, Peter, 
McGeehen, John, 
Munn, Ira C, 
Nichols, John H., 
Noon, Michael, 
Nichols, William, 
O'Mahony, Daniel, 
Pierson, Moses F., 
Potts, William, 
Robatham, David H., 
Smith, Peter, 
Sprigg, Thomas W., 
Seaver, Joseph, 
Strange, Martin, 
Shields, Hugh, 
Taylor, John, 
Topham, Thomas W., 
Trainor, Thomas, 
Turbett, Charles, 
Van Iderstine, Francis, 
Van Iderstine, John. 



COMPANY D. 

Albert Seigel Captain. 

Edward Schmidt First Lieutenant. 

James Wilson. " " 

Louis Helmer Second Lieutenant. 

Frank Engelhardt, First Sergeant. 

William Kobcke, Sergeant. 

Herman Dehmer, " 

Herman Lipfert, " 

Henry Flach, " 

Henry Meissling, Corporal. 

Julius Stapff, 

Gustav Peine 



FIRST XEIV JERSEY BRIGADE. 



479 



Charles Hammesfahr, Corporal. 

Charles Eickenberg, 

Herman Bartsch, 

August Schroder, 

August Unger, 

John Boms, Fifer. 

John Hansen, Drtimmcr. 

August Leonhard, Wacjoner. 



Privates. 



Albrecht, Christian, 
Arnold, Casper, 
Bodensatz, Bernhard, 
Behringer, Philip, 
Birkle, Casper, 
Bohrer, Philip, 
Buchsbaum, William, 
Dackermann, Leonhard, 
Eberhard, Frederic, 
Ecker, Frederic, 
Emmerick, William, 
Enter, George, 
Erhard, Frank, 
Erdmann, Louis, 
Freitag, Albert, 
Fritsche, Herman, 
Gill, Martin, 
Grouss, Frederick. 
Gruber, Michael, 
Hagg, Matthias, 
Hartkopf, August, 
Heinold, Louis, 
Heller, John, 
Hermann, Christopli, 
Hesse, Ferdinand, 
Hinkmann, Frank, 
Hofsess, Charles, 
Horn, Charles, 
Hosser, Frederic, 
Hotham, Frederic, 
Hothan, Frederic, 
Huck, Charles, 
Hammel, Christoph, 
Hummel, Charles, 
Imhof, Frederic, 
Jakoby, August, 
Janaschek, Joseph, 
Kaminsky, Joseph, 
Klem, Balthasar, 



Klufif, Louis, 
Kohlmann, August, 
Konkel, Bernhard, 
Kopp, John, 
Korkel, John, 
Krauss, William, 
Krauss, Frederick, 
Kurz, Konrad, 
Kuth, Anton, 
Langenberger, Herman. 
Laher, William, 
Lenz, Charles, 
Ley, Valentine, 
Lickenmeier, John, 
Link, Benjamin, 
Mahr, August, 
Mallet, Joseph, 
McDermit, Patrick, 
Meier, Frank, 
Meier, Gregor, 
Metzger, Peter, 
Muller, John, 
Muller, Philipp, 
Niemeier, August, 
Otto, WiUiam, 
Popke, Charles, 
Potzel, Lebrecht, 
Plume, Isaac H., 
Roser, Julius, 
Rothacker, Christoph, 
Schneidmann. JoIth, 
Schofter, Jacob, 
Schoner, Charles, 
Schmidt, Mathias, 
Schuler, Joseph, 
Schuler, Frederic, 
Schuppert, John, 
Schuppert, Charles, 
Schutte, Daniel, 



480 FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 

Seidenspinner, John, Wolf, Adam, 

Spitz, Frank, Wolf, Frederic, 

Tanner, Phillip, Wolfinger, Philip, 

Trapper, Henry, Worwag, Julius, 

Volz, Gottfried, Worwag, Charles, 

Windegger, Joseph, Zellweger, Daniel. 
Wolf, Frederic, 

COMPANY E. 

Charles Wiebecke, Captain. 

Ferdinand Stoll, Lieutenant. 

Albert Franck, " 

Gottlieb Sohmalz Sergeant. 

Charles Bander 

August Linder, " 

Charles Huller, " 

Christian Beyer, " 

William Wiegand, Corporal. 

Theodore Banzhaf " 

Karl Siegal, 

Hughe Lellbach 

Joseph Pfeflfer " 

John Hensler, " 

Herman Hartman " 

Michael Ehrhardt 

Emil Herman, Fifer. 

Friedrich, Neifert Drummer. 

Franz Brodesser, Wagoner. 

Privates. 

Albrecht, John, Fastnacht, Jacob. 

Adams, John, Fischer, John. 

Axle, Benedict, Fischer, Nicolans, 

Bauman, Mathias, Friedel, Gustav, 

Benner, George, Friedrich. Joseph. 

Bechtold, John. Fisher, J. E., 

Bugler. John, Gobel, Henry, 

Berner, Franz. Gambuchler. George, 

Brehm, August. Himmelsbach, Otto. 

Braitigam. Friedrich, Hofman, Jacob, 

Burkle. Remikins, Henner. Leopold, 

Besel, Gustav, Hoh, Friedrich, 

Coblenzer, Jahn. Illing, Thomas. 

Chardavine, Lee, Just, August. 

Dekebach. Jacob. Jung, Phillip. 

Esser, Jacob. Jansen, Herman, 

Eichorst, Friedrich, Jeorger, Otto. 

Elker, Jacob, Kabiersky, Julius, 



FIRST NBIV JERSEY BRIGADE. 



481 



Kampf, Adam, 
Kalber, Jacob, 
Kaufman, Ignatz, 
Kist, Friedrich, 
Krawart, Willhelm, 
Kleine, William, 
Konig, Berthard, 
Koch, Adolph, 
Lauer, Christoph, 
Lauer, Andreas, 
Lambrinus, Andreas, 
Lenz, William, 
Lapple, Jacob, 
Mensing, Kasper, 
Mennert, William, 
Muller, Henry, 
MuUer, Lewis, 
Muller, Gustav, 
Petzold, Charles, 
Pfingstag, John, 
Prinz, Anton, 
Propst, Henry, 
Renz, John, 
Ries, Conrad, 



Ressing, William, 

Rodemeier, Fredrich, 

Schafer, Phillips, 

Senf, Ernst, 

Schoppe, William, 

Sohnarr, Lorenz, 

Steinhelber, Friedrich, 

Schneider, William, 

Scholl, Friedrich, 

Siegel, Albert, 
Scheerstuhl, Martin, 

Trautfetter, George, 

Volz, Edward, 
Wachter, George, 
Witthum, Clemens, 
Will, Alexander, 
Weingarth, Friedrich, 
Wege, Christian, 
Wehrle, Charles, 
Wagner, Bernhardt, 
Wollenberg, Christian, 
Wollenschlager, Friedrich, 
Weissenfluck, Jacob, 
Zink, Joseph. 



COMPANY F. 

Captain. 

Aaron Young, 

,,. 1 . First Lieutenant. 

Henry Vreeland, 

t,r-,,- T^ TD1 ^n- Second Lieutenant. 

Wi ham E. Blewett, -^^ ^. ^^ 

,'.„. „ A First Sergeant. 

Wilham Purdy, ^ 

, T-. Sergeant. 

Jared Denn, „ 

John Campbell, ,, 

John H. King, 

John T. Snow, r^,-hn,-nl 

■' ,,r-rAij Lorpojal. 

James McFarland, \, 

James Campbell, 

Moses T. Osborn, 

David Brooks, 

Barney Crabtree, 

Jacob Denike, ,< 

Sampson Simmons, „ 

Thomas Stephens, p^^^^ 

Ebony Hunter [''.Drummer. 

Marcus Moore, Wagoner. 

James E. Farrel, 



482 



FIRST NEIV JERSEY BRIGADE. 



Privates. 



Allerton, John, 
Adams, Oliver J., 
Atchinson, James M., 
Brady, James T., 
Bazes, Thomas P., 
Blake, James, 
Bergen, John, 
Brady, William, 
Bolen, Owen, 
Bohen, John, 
Campbell, John, 
Campbell, James, 
Cassady, Lewis, 
Conroy, Michael, 
Castello, Edward, 
Cockefair, George E., 
Callanan, Eugene, 
Carroll, John. 
Colry, Ira, 
Campbell, Cornelius, 
Clark, John, 
Culligan, Patrick, 
Carroll, Jerry, 
Carroll, Patrick, 
Cosgrove, Thomas, 
Curran, Thomas, 
Coates, John H., 
Douglass, William, 
Deighan, Francis, 
Derberow. William, 
Derrig, John. 
Dougherty, Richard, 
Ellison, Anthony, 
Feeny, James. 
Fairclough, Richard, 
Fairhurst. Wlilliam. 
Fine. Cornelius, 
Graham, John, 
Goldsmith. William, 
Hotchkin, Charles, 
Hardy, Frank, 
Harris, Isaac, 
Haydcn, Thomas, 
Jackson, Samuel, 
Kennedy. Jared. 
Kcarnev, Michael, 



Kemble, Garret. 
Kistner, Henry, 
Kay, Christian, 
Leaky, Patrick, 
Meeker, Charles H., 
Meeker, Abraham P., 
McVey, Anthony O., 
McDonald, John. 
McNulty, Michael, 
McVey, William, 
McCloskey, Thomas, 
McDonald, Robert, 
Mosely, William, 
McNab. John, 
McCluskey, James, 
McVey. David, 
Maloy, Michael, 
Murphy, John, 
Mayow, George, 
Montrose, Thomas, 
Nailer, John, 
Packer, Jacob, 
Paxton, Isaac, 
Past, Sylvester J., 
Ray. William. 
Russell. John, 
Rose, John, 
Risben, John, 
Smith, John M., 
Smith, Hiram, 
Shuron, Patrick. 
Swanwick, William, 
Stranford, Joseph, 
Sanford, William E., 
Snow. Robert. 
Swim. Henn,-, 
Spear. Thomas. 
St. Clair, Anthony, P., 
Taylor, Boles, 
Terhune, William. 
Van Allen. Peter, 
Worsnop. Daniel. 
Westervelt. William, 
Weeber. John. 
Wilson. William. 
Wait. William. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



483 



COMPANY ('.. 

James H. Close, Captain. 

Horatio Leonard, first Lieutenant. 

Sargeant E. Leonard, Second Lieutenant. 

Charles M. Taylor, First Sergeant. 

John Case, Sergeant. 

Theodore W. Alston, 

Robert B. Sanderson 

James Marshall, 

Alexander Kirkpatrick Corporal. 

William H. Burnett, 

Fowler Merrill, 

Manfred C. Battey. 

Samuel A. Jarvis, 

Charles M. Clerihue, 

Emil J. Girard, 

Charles E. Hyde, 

Isaac H. Munn, Fifer. 

James Elverson, Drummer. 

John H. Smith, Wagoner. 



Privates. 



Ackerman, David, 
Ash, Jacob J., 
Aspinwall, Sumner D., 
Bannen, Charles, 
Baldwin, George H., 
Barnard, Alfred, 
Bell, David, 
Benedict, Edward C, 
Benson, Garrat B., 
Bradshaw, George, 
Brant, Erastus, 
Brown, Joshua J., 
Brown, Edwin N., 
Bulliphant, Thomas W., 
Canfield, Charles H., 
Cockefair, George E., 
Conklin, Edward L., 
Collins, John W., 
Cole, Jacob L-, 
Cole, John, 
Curtis, Frederick, 
Cummings, Jacob C. E., 
Dickinson, Albert J., 
Dodd, Charles B., 
Dodd, Forman, 
Douglas, Sylvester. 



Dunn, Henry A., 
Dykes, Basil, 
Eitel, Jacob, 
Fitter, Henry, 
Gaddis, John D. F., 
Getchis, Charles F., 
Gordon, George, 
Gunot, Louis S., 
Harrison, Charles H., 
Haney, Francis, 
Haulenback, John, 
Hampton, William, 
Herzog, George, 
Higgins, John, 
Hutchinson, William, 
Hyde, James C, 
Hull, Jeremiah, Jr., 
Jenkins, Joseph, 
Jeppe, George, 
Kain, David, 
Kanouse, William, 
Keer, Edward, 
Kennedy, Thomas, 
Kent, Jacob W., 
Kingsland, Nathaniel, 
Kirwan, James, 



484 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



Lambert, John H., 
Leonhardt, Jacob, 
Lee, Thomas, 
Low, George A., 
Lorton, Eugene V., 
Lunch, Dewitt S., 
Lynch, Patrick, 
Mackay, William, 
Matthews, Ambrose M., 
McCloud, George, 
McCormick, Edward, 
McCollough, Christopher, 
McDonald, W. H., 
McQuillan, Thomas, 
McNair, David, 
Miller, Jacob, 
Morehouse, George H., 
O'Brien, Michael, 
Phillips, William, 
Price, David, 
Raymond, George, 



Reybert, George, 
Schmidt, Louis, 
Slee, Valentine J., 
Smith, John B., 
Spaulding, Edward F., 
Strassel, Joseph, 
Stillwell, George, 
Squire, George W., 
Teachman, James R., 
Terry, William, 
Thayer, Joseph A., 
Thatcher, Jacob, 
Tompson, William H., 
Tompkins, Silas B., 
Tronton, Robert, 
Vail, George F., 
Vogel, William, 
Westbrook, Albert, 
Wilson, William, 
Williams, William R., 
Woodruff, Joseph, F. R. 



COMPANY H. 

Edwin Bishop, Captain. 

John F. W. Crane, First Lieutenant. 

John W. Root, Second Lieutenant. 

William J. Van Ness, First Sergeant. 

Eugene W. Gerindon, Sergeant. 

Joseph Seeley, " 

Henry H. Callan, 

Jedson, Knight, .;. " 

George Somerville, Corporal. 

Horace Smith, 

WiUiam Dykes, 

Flavil W. Sullivan, 

Stephen H. Cadmus, " 

Charles H. Pierson, 

George N. Mockridge, "' 

Robert W. Simpson, 

Lewis Martinny, Fifer. 

Isaac F. Babbit, Drummer. 

Charles Kent, IVagoncr. 



Privates. 



Babbit, Hampton M., 
Baldwin, Theodore A., 
Bachellor, James M., 
Backus, Rodman, 
Beach, Samuel, 



Bowers, Henry F., 
Bowman, William H. 
Brown, Edwin, 
Burchell, David, 
Ball, Joseph, 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



485 



Boudish, Daniel, 
Brown, Josiah I., 
Conklin, James L., 
Condict, Daniel H., 
Crane, Alfred W. B., 
■Crawford, John, 
Crane, Aaron D., 
Chandler, John W., 
Damford, John, 
Daum, Lewis, 
Daum, Philip, 
Dean, George D., 
DeWitt, Levi T., 
Douglass, Harvey F., 
Dunn, Joseph, 
Davy, Charles H., 
Duryea, Edmund A., 
Eyles, William K., 
Earl, Edward S., 
Eaulks, William, 
Foster, Richard, 
Griggs, William F., 
Haines, Amity, 
Hand, John S., 
Hatfield, Martin V., 
Hampson, Henry, 
Hope, Richard, 
Hundertpfund, Henry W., 
Hodgekins, Joseph P., 
Lyon, Walter M., 
Lew, Napoleon, 
Lockwood, George B., 
Lyon, Ebenezer C, 
McNair, Robert W., 
Meeker, Edward. 
Miller, Horace, 
Mockridge, Abraham M., 
Meadors, Ira B., 
Mulford, Rodney J., 
McDermott, Patrick, 
McCartney, Thomas, 
McClure, William M., 
Milligan, John D., 



Milligan, William E., 
Mullen, Charles, 
Miller, John G., Jr., 
Milner, William, 
Morrison, George, 
Mills, Stott, 
Nulter, John E., 
Norcross, Alexander, 
Pierson, Linus S., 
Peabody, John A., 
Pierson, Levi W., 
Pierce, Henry, 
Pridham, Rodney, 
Pressinger, Edward, 
Phalon, Patrick, 
Reybert, Alexander L., 
Rolle, Charles W., 
Richardson, Joseph, 
Seymour, Robert, 
Sandford, Benjamin, 
Sears, Franklin A., 
Soles, Benjamin L., 
Shaw, William L., 
Shafer, James M., 
Statts, Abraham S., 
Sutlow, J. Stewart, 
Totten, Francis E., 
Tipping, Joseph T., 
Thompson, Juhan N., 
Tunis, Daniel W., 
Vanrelsor, Horace, 
Ware, Amzy, 
Wetzell, Peter, 
Westervelt, Samuel R., 
Williams, Joseph B., 
Wilkie, David W., 
Whyman, Simon F., 
Wheeler, Edward I., 
Winckler, Adolph, 
Woodruff, John H., 
Whitehead, John A., 
Young, Abraham A. 



COMPANY L 

George Griffith, Captain. 

John Allen, First Lieutenant. 

Charles Danforth, Second Lieutenant. 

Andrew Brown, 



486 



FIRST XEJV JERSEY BRIGADE. 



Edward G. Ford, I'irst Scriicani. 

William Davidson, Sergeant. 

Robert O. Smith, 

Charles H. Cundell, 

William J. Buckley, 

Abram H. Paxton, Corporal 

William J. Atchison, 

James Cook, 

Edward Higbid, 

Joseph E. Wild, 

James J. King, 

Henry Harvey, 

John A. Alyea, Fifer. 

John A. Van Houten, Drummer. 

Joseph Hartley, U'agoner. 



Privates. 



Ackerman, Andrew, 
Allen, Stephen W., 
Allen, Wallace, 
Andrew, Chauncey, 
Atchison, James, 
Beardsley, James, 
Babcock, Frederick, 
Berdan, Albert, 
Beggs, James. 
Broughton, Grimshaw, 
Brown, Cornelius, 
Brown, Francis M., 
Buck, Chester H., 
Buckley, John F., 
Burnham, Sylvanus B., 
Burks, William, 
Burstroun, Andrew S., 
Cain. Rudolph. 
Chadwick, Leonard, 
CodHng, Alfred, 
Colgan, James. 
Cooper, Samuel, 
Courier, David, 
Courier, William H., 
Crawford. Robert N., 
Crowell, Jonathan. 
Davidson, George N., 
Donaldson, William. 
Discoll, John A., 
Dourkersley, William B., 
Dougherty, Wilson, 
Douglass. Theodore E-, 



Evans, Lemuel E., 
Fielding. Thomas, 
Finklemeir, Charles, 
Finklemeir, Nicholas. 
Flavell, John W., 
Goetching, Peter V. W 
Goodrich, Bradford R., 
Hamilton, William 
Hartson, James, 
Haj'es. William, 
Holmes, Alexander. 
Hoff, Louis, 
Hoy, William H., 
Huber, Henry, 
Irving. James, 
Johnson, William, 
Keenan, John, 
King, Robert W., 
King, Henry B., 
Lamb. David, 
•Lee, James, 
Law, Joseph. 
Lawton, Byron. 
Loan, William F., 
Lynde, Henry A., 
Malpas. Alfred, 
Manuel, James, 
ArcGill, Alexander, 
McCloud. Samuel F., 
McCloud, William, 
Miller. James, 
Miller, William A., 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 487 

Miller, William H., Slater, John J.. 

Monroe, Martin B., Smith, Amos S., 

Montgomery, Ebenezer, Smith, John, 

Morehead, John, Spangler, Rollin, 

O'Brien, Michael, Vanhouten, Wellingson. 

Ott, Jacob. Vangiesen, Isaac, 

Perkins, Daniel, Walkington, Samuel B., Jr., 

Ratzer, Fehx, Walthall, James, 

Roberts, WiUiam H., Watts, George, 

Scott, George, White, John G. B., 

Scott, John C.. Winters, William, 

Shearan, William, Winfield, Daniel H., 

Simmonton, De Witt, Whitney, Samuel S., 

Sip, Vreeland, Zabriskie, John A. 
Slingerland, John J., 

COMPANY K. 

Charles H. Tay, ^«/'^«^«- 

Richard Hopewood, ^^«* Lieutenant. 

Jacob Bogert, ^''^'^^ Lieutenant. 

Cyrus Benedict, First Sergeant. 

Lewis B. Baldwin, Sergeant. ■ 

Martin Ward, ,, 

William H. Haskill, 

Charles C. Lockwood 

Francis Curran, Corporal. 

Charles Selemeyer, 

Horatio N. Peabody, ^^ 

Alfred Clark, '■ ^ 

•i^ J • 1 xj T ..^r. Drummer. 

Frederick H. Lyon, 

James S. Hughson, • ; ; • ' • 

, , , T, ,-, ■ Wasoner. 

Alexander Baldwin, ^ 



Privates. 



Ackerman, Aaron C, 
Ackerman, Edgar B., 
Alexander, William H., 
Ash, Simmes F., 
Adams, William, 
Baldwin, Frederick A., 
Baldwin, Samuel H., 
Barton, WiUiam H., 
Bonnell, William T., 
Bliven, Charles H., 
Beach, Alexander, Jr., 
Boudiett, Emanuel, 
Beers, William, 
Brooks, Eli, 
Bryden, Obadiah, 



Clarke, Theodore C, 
Conover, Jesse, 
Cottrell, Herbert, 
Coleman, John, 
Carrol, Samuel, 
Carrol, Hamilton, 
Cadmus, Stephen V. 
Cadmus, Henry S., 
Crowell, Jonathan, 
Davis, Daniel, 
De Forrest, Isaac, 
Ernst, Richard, 
Frederick, Albert, 
Fairchild, Edmund, 
Forbes, John W., 



C, Jr., 



488 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



Fearey, Jabez, 
Fearey, Levi, 
Garrabrant, William, 
Graback, Robert. 
Gray, John V., 
Graham, James, 
Goulder, Peter C, 
Green, Joseph, 
Hemberger, Andrew, 
Harris, George M., 
Herzog, Christian, 
Holloway, Charles S., 
Jackson, William A., 
Karsboom, Harmans, 
Kane, William W., 
Kiesling, Joseph S., 
Liebe, William A., 
Lockwood, Charles C, 
Lyon, Lewis W., 
Lavery, John H., 
Leonard, William, 
Lord, John, 
Maynard, Thomas W., 
Mahler, Henry J., 
Milledge, George W., 
Meade, George, 
Murphy, Charles J., 
Morgan, Robert, 
Nees, Lewis H., 
Neafie, Walter D., 
Nalborough, William, 
O'Donnell, Patrick, 



Pettegrew, Thomas, 
Pollitt, Thomas, 
Price, Edgar H., 
Price, Nathan, 
Post, John W., 
Rendall, Giles R., 
Russell, Charles W., 
Roden, George, 
Richardson, Edward, 
Sandford, William E., 
Shafer, Henry, 
Smith, William, 
Smith, Edward L., 
Sihn, Jacob, 
Schofield, George, 
Skinner, John S., 
Terhune, John G., 
Terry, Oscar D., 
Tangeman, August, 
Tony, George W., 
Tucker, Theodore, 
Vanderhoof, Daniel K., 
Van Horn, John H., 
Van Riper, Charles O., 
Western, Wardell B., 
Wilson, Washington, 
Warden, James H., 
Winters, William W., 
Wilde, Joseph B., 
Wise William H., 
Williamson, Charles. 



Third Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers. 

George W. Taylor, Colonel 

Henry W. Brown, Lieutenant-Colonel. 

Mark W. Collett, Major. 

Robert T. Dunham, Adjutant. 

Francis Sayre, Quartermaster. 

Lorenzo Lewis Cox, Surgeon. 

Edward L. Welling, Assistant Surgeon. 

George R. Darrow, Chaplain. 

BAND. 

William R. Bailey, Leader. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 489 

Musicians. 

Thomas Barrett, ^^^'^'' l\^^''""t:, 

Charles T. Stratton, Wilham McDonald, 

Har son Carels, William Thornburg, 

^r-ir Q T nmhert Charles I. Peters, 
Wilham b. Lambert, 

T^ • 1 TD^^«r;nlr Samuel Albm, 
Daniel Pedenck, Woolston, 

Ezbon C. Lambert, f I Vi ^i« 

Z^ . ■,. • Jacob Claypole, 

Francis Albm j Kempton, 

Francis B. Ridgway, J°"^ ".- i^ 

^, 1 -iir Axr Kk Benjamin r. Uare, 

Charles W. Webb, ^ J Asr^rtV, 

Henry F. Conins gL"^! West, 

COMPANY A. 

• Captain. 

David Vickers, ....First Lieutenant. 

John Roberts, Second Lieutenant. 

Charles Wilson, • • p^^,^^ Sergeant. 

Frank H. Coles, Sergeant. 

Richard Hewitt, « 

William H. Snowden, 

John L. W. Wentz, 

Joseph L. Franklin Corporal 

Adon G. Cattell, 

Josiah P. Franklin, 

William L. BuUer, 

Frank Peaboddy, 

Harry Hagerty, 

Joseph Pickins, 

David S. Gibson, 

Charles Elkinton, ' ' ' " ' pifg^^ 

James Kershaw, Drummer. 

John A. Tyler, Wagoner. 

Thomas French, 

Privates. 

„„.,,. ^ Clark, Henry L., 

Allen, Wilham F., ^^^^^^^^ g^^^^^^l C., 

Allen, Nathan ^^^^^^ ^V., 

Alexander, Charles.. ^^J^^^ ^^^^^^ 

Ashton, Enoch W.. ^^^^^^ ^.^^.^^^^ ^^ 

Allen, Joseph Y., ^^ j^^^^ P _ 

Abbott, Charles V., ^^^^.^^^. j , 

Beatty, Charles ^^^^^^ ^^^^^ P 

Bock, Henry W., ^^^^^^ William S... 

Boyle, Robert, Cattell, Edward C, 

Boyce, John, Cunningham, Andrew, 

Barber, Edward, ^^^^^^^ Beniamin S., 
Burt, Henry, 



490 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



Duffield, Benjamin, 
Donald, Michael, 
Downs, John, 
Downs, Joseph. 
Davis, Alexander W., 
Dilks, Samuel, 
Esterlow, James, 
Eacritt, John, 
Edwards, John, 
Foster, Reuben, 
Fox, Joshua, 
Frambes, Jesse B., 
Gordon, Charles^ 
Graham, Samuel, 
Grubbins, John, 
Green, John, 
Hewitt, William, 
Hill, Thomas H., 
Hemphill, Wallace, 
Jaggard Roberts, 
Jaggard, Isaac D., 
Jones, Thomas, 
Jackson, Charles S., 
Johnson, Enoch L-, 
Lippincott, Richard, 
Lowe, John W., 
X,ockwood. William, 
Mears. William F., 
Morris, Robert, 
Matts, Samuel C, 
Maul, Benjamin L., 

COMPANY B. 

Henry C. Gibson, Captain. 

Franklin L. Knight, First Lieutenant. 

William N. Evans, Second Lieutenant. 

Baldwin Hufty, First Sergeant. 

Hamilton Johnson, Sergeant. 

William B. Phillips, 

W'illiam Page, 

Mathias Lambson, 

Howard H. Goldsmith, Corporal. 

Arthur Merry, 

Charles McClung, 

Nathan Jones, 

Samuel B. Pine, 

George Westcott 

Edward Phillips, 

Jonathan Demaris, Drummer. 

Edward Browning Fifer. 

James Ross, Wagoner. 



McClure, John, 
Madara, Ezekiel. 
Nehls, Frederick. 
Nemis, Anthony, 
Ostentack, George, 
Orr, Joseph W., 
Pedrick, John P.. 
Parker, Charles, 
Renners, Samuel, 
Ridgeway, Andrews, 
Sharp, John A., 
Sharp, William. 
Stanger, J'ames N., 
Shute. Frank A., 
Scott, John W., 
Sullivan, Daniel W., 
Scott, John R., 
Scott, Joseph D., 
Scraum, Frederick, 
Sharp, George W., 
Taylor, Richard, 
Tonkins, John. 
Turner, Albert F., 
Wilson, Frederick. 
Wamsley, Henr\-, 
Wilson, John, 
Williams, William, 
Zane. Thomas F., 
Zane. Charles G., 
Zane, William. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



491 



Privates. 



Adams, Adam, 
Broadhurst Samuel, 
Bressillon, Armand, 
Bressillon, Charles, 
Burns, Patrick, 
Bromly, George, 
Blair, John, 
Brooks, Newton M., 
Coull, Francis W., 
Coull, Allen, 
Casper, Theodore, 
Conway, John, 
Clark, John, 
Clark, Thomas W., 
Crawshaw, Titus, 
Coates, John W., 
Closson, Mordecai, 
Curlis, Richard A., 
Diament, Edward, 
Dillon, James, 
DeFord, Henry, 
Frankish, Johai W., 
Fox, Eeter J., 

Fisher, August, 
Fackler, Charles, 

Farris, Thomas D., 

Gibson, William. 

Gordon, Thomas, 

Gorman, Henry, 

HoUis, Brock, 

Hardin, Mahlon, 

Henry, James. 

Harrison, John T., 

HoUingsworth, James. 

Harvey, William T., 

Harkinson, John, 

Hong. Lewis C, 

Johnson, Joseph C, 

King, Joseph. 

Lock, Elwood, 

Laughlin, George W., 

Lukens, Albert. 

Lewis, John, 
Lupton, J. Harrison, 



Merrihew, Theodore W., 
McWey, John, 
McNuUy, Martin, 
Mervine, Frederick, 
Marshland, Alfred, 
Martin, Samuel, 
McLees, John, 
Mills, William, 
Neimeo, Archibald, 
Phillips, John M., 
Phillips, Thomas L.. 
Robinson, Charles, 
Ross, Wilkins, 
Robinson, Franklin, 
Shinn, William, 
Smith, William H., 
Surran, Thomas C, 
Shink, Phillip, 
Smith, William B., 
Shinn, Benjamin F.. 
Spence, John. 
Smith, Cooper, 
Snow, Frisby, 
Smith, Charles, 
Trimble, Armon, 
Soby, Frederick, 
Trussel, Edward, 
Talmadge, Albert, 
Tompkinson, Stephen, 
Taylor, J. Frederick, 
Vandegrift, Howard S. 
Walker, Alexander J., 
Wood, Robert F., 
Williams, Wallace, 
Wise, Jacob, 
Westphal, Thomas, 
Webb, Erasmus K., 
Young, William T. G., 
Slocum, John W., 
Wright, Charles H., 
McCoy, John D.. 
Thornberger. John. 
Ricker, George (»., 
Taylor, Joseph, 



492 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



COMPANY C. 

Joseph F. Rowaiid, Captain. 

Daniel P. Buckley, First Lieutenant. 

Louis C. Spencer, " " 

Edward B. Grubb, Jr., Second Lieutenant. 

John C. Wiggins, " " 

William P. Hall, First Sergeant. 

Charles H. Colesworthy, Sergeant. 

Griffith W. Carr, 

David G. Hunt, '' 

Benjamin A. Burr, " 

Daniel F. Banks, Corporal. 

William Dilmore, " 

Thomas S. Palmer, " 

Thomas B. Arey, " 

George G. Deacon, " 

Thomas K. Ekings, " 

John Stewart, " 

Benjamin H. Wiley " 

George Collins, Drummer. 

John H. Heaviland, Fifer. 

Alfred Norcross, Wagoner. 



Privates. 



Adams, Abraham, 
Adams, George, 
Adams, John, 
Allen, William H., 
Alston, David, 
Allinson, William H., 
Andrews, John, 
Burr, William, 
Ballinger, William J.. 
Blackwood, William H., 
Bonker, Joseph F., 
Butler, Stephen, 
Bryan, Robert, 
Benham, William, 
Garr, William, 
Collins, Patrick, 
Cox, William H, 
Coer, Joseph S., 
Cathcart, James, 
Combs, Godfrey, 
Cone, Walter N., 
Conover, George H., 
Dare, Theodore A., 
Dickson, David, 



Drake, Charles B., 
Dunbar, Thomas, 
Evans, Charles H., 
Gaskill, George, 
Griffin, Patrick, 
Graham, William, 
Given, Andrew, 
Grant, John, 
Getty, John, 
Horner, William, 
Hiss, Joseph, 
Heritage, Thomas B., 
Hutchinson, Samuel, 
Havens, Charles F., 
Horn, John D., 
Illingsworth, Barclay, 
Johnson, James R., 
Kiercelf, John, 
Leeson, Landric, 
Lippincott, Joseph P., 
Luey, Frederick, 
.Miller, William W., 
Mount, William H., 
Morrow, James, 



FIRST Xnir JERSEY BRIGADE. 



493 



Matlack, Thomas W., 
Morton, George C, 
Morton, Samuel F., 
Mack, Patrick. 
McMullen, George. 
McCullough, Hugh, 
McGonigal, David P., 
McLaughlin, John, 
McGriflfin, James D., 
Mick, Michael, 
Nichols, James, 
Nayolor, James, 
O'Reilh^ George, 
Oliphant, John J., 
Poole, Richard, 
Poinsett, Ridgway S., 
Park, John, 
Park, James, 
Patterson, Mathew, 
Pierce, John, 
Ryan, Michael, 
Rogan, John, 



Richards, Thoma.< B., 
Reed, Henry B., 
Reed, William H. H., 
Rexon, William T.. 
Robbins, John. 
Reinboth, Charles F., 
Rodman, William, 
Spachins, William X.. 
Smith, Francis, 
Smith, Frederick W., 
Smith, Joseph, 
Sinclair, Isaac, 
Sharp, Ezra, 
Smyth, Samuel, 
Titus, Timothy B., 
Taylor, Mathew, 
Thompson, Lewis M., 
Vansciver, David D., 
Vanwagoner. John. 
Williams, Joseph, 
Williams, Amos H., 
Willetts, William F. 



COMPANY D. 

Franklin I,. Knight Captain. 

James G. Fitts 

Edward B. Grubb, Jr., Eirst Lieutenant. 

John J. Jones 

James W. Porter, Second Lieutenant. 

Hubert S. Linn 

Benjamin Stewart, '• Sergeant. 

Peter M. Hendershot, 

Sylvester Decker, 

James Walker, 

Benjamin Houghwort, Corporal. 

John McMarenis. '■ 

Elijah Sharp 

Jacob B. Hendershot, 

Robert Bangham, 

Andrew J. Lariden, 

Thomas' P. Edwards, 

Daniel W. Drake 

Stephen Pell. Pifer.' 

George W. Porter. .' Drummer. 

John Slokbower, Wagoner. 



32 F B 



494 



FIRST XEir JERSEY BRIGADE. 



Privates. 



Bennet, Charles, 
Bonnell, David, 
Bell, William C, 
Berry, Asa, 
Brown, David B.. 
Chambers, Newman C, 
Chambers, Watson, 
Cortright, George N., 
Campbell, Azariah, 
Comer, William C, 
Crist, John M., 
Conn, Bartly, 
Craten, Michael, 
Dalziel, James, 
Dermer, Manning, 
Daily Patrick, 
Dorman, William, 
Decker, Hiram, 
Dennis, John, 
Drake, Adam, 
Earles, William S., 
Ervin. William, 
Ford, John W., 
Feighly, James, 
France, Ira C, 
Givens, Samuel F., 
Galliger, Charles, 
Gouer, Andrew A., 
Guest, Charles, 
Gordon, William, 
Hamlin, Moses, 
Hagerty, Joseph, 
Howard, John, 
Hendershot, William A., 
Haughawout, Leflferd, 
Hughs, Martin, 
Hendershot, Ambrose M., 
Hedden, William, 
King, Isaac M., 
Knott, Edw^ard, 
Knox, Arthur S., 
Lawless, William, 
Layton, Abram S., 



Lepper, Henry, 
Marvin, John W., 
Marvin, Ezra, 
Manan, Lewis, 
McCarter, Henry, 
McKeone, Patrick, 
Mealy, William O., 
Maldoon, James, 
Moffit, Thomas, 
Moran, William, 
Niel, George O., 
Newbur}-, Edward S., 
Pine, James B., 
Price, David, 
Price, William, 
Picket, Benjamin, 
Pittenger, Nathaniel J., 
Rodney, Morris, 
Reed, George, 
Smith, Nathan S., 
Struble. Horace H., 
Schoonover, James, Jr., 
Space, David, 
Slawson, Charles, 
Smith, John H., 
Smith, Jacob, 
Steele, Thomas J., 
Snyder, Andrew, 
Schanlin. Michael, 
Silcox, James, 
Savercool, iNIartin G., 
Stage, George M., 
Totten, Jonathan, 
Taylor, John W., 
Tittsworth, Charles A.. 
Tillman, \\'atson, 
Tighe, John, 
\'anderhool John B., 
Williamson, William, 
Wheeler, Emery A., 
Wintermute, Edwin H.; 
Walters, William, 
Winslow, John. 



FIRST XEIV JERSEY BRIGADE. 



495 



COMPANY E. 

Edward L. Campbell, Captain. 

William P. Robeson, Jr Pirst Lieutenant. 

George P. Sanders vS-^^o»d Lieutenant. 

Joseph Liness ^'''^^ Sergeant. 

Peter H. Lanastaff " Sergeant. 

William H. H. Porter, 

Robert Ruddy, ^^ 

Joseph M. Dunnohevv, 

William Harrar, Corporal. 

William M. Room, 

Thomas R. Haines, ^^ 

Henry W. Mitchell 

Harry S. Watson, 

WiUiam J. Miller, 

George L. Morse, 

Henry D. Neimeyer, 

John Hadfield, '^*'^''- 

T 1 n »^o„ Drummer. 

Joseph Crummey, 

V^ • , c- 1 ;„^ Wagoner. 

Daniel Smipkms, * 



Privates. 



Cranshaw, James, 
Berg, William, 
Bried, Alexander, 
Barger, Nicholas, 
Buttle, John H., 
Barnett, Alexander, 
Brown, Joseph A., 
Burbridge, Richard, 
Bunn, Alexander, 
Burns, Alexander, 
Bruen, James H., 
Crox, Henry, 
Cornell, WiUiam H., 
Cavanaugh, James, 
Coates, John W., 
Conklin, Henry S., 
Carpenter, Charles H., 
Cheeseman, Thomas J., 
Deforrest, George W., 
Durnell, John D., 
Deegan, Bernard, 
Dumble, John, 
ElHs, David, 
Ely, Phineas, 
Elder, James, 



Fie, Joseph, 
Freeman, George, 
Grundlock, Jacob, 
Hill, James G., 
Hance, William, 
Haines, Joseph D., 
Hoover, David, 
Hollingshead, John F., 
Hartman, Bernard, 
Hopping, Robert W., 
Hunter, Walter, 
Irvin, Washington, 
Jackson, Richard M., 
Lieper, James, 
Lukens, Frankhn B., 
Mullen, James, 
Miller, Christian, 
Malone, William W., 
McCowan, Robert, 
Macklin, George J., 
Martin, John C, 
Miller, George, 
McKinney, James, 
Nagle, John, 
Nimmo. Archibald. 



496 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



Oliver, Henry, 
Purfil, William, 
Payne, William, 
Reed, George W., 
Ritter, George W., 
Ross, Jesse C, 
Rethun, George W., 
Rumpf, Henry A., 
Siner, Charles, 
Shoppe, John, 
Shuster. John C, 
Simpson, Vincent. 
Smith, William A., 
Sutton, William, 
Salmon, Abraham, 
Stinger, Henry, 
Tyrell, Joseph, 



Tunis, Nehemiah, 
Vandegrift, John H. 
Voorhies, Jacol), 
Voorhies, John, 
Williams, Hiram, 
Williams, James, 
Williams, Robert, 
Wilson, Theodore, 
Ware, Benjamin, 
Wise, George W., 
Worn, Philip, 
Wilby, Thomas. 
Winner, Samuel, 
Wallace, John, 
Wiatt, William, 
Younker, Jacob, 
Zinck, George F. 



COMPANY V. 

James VV. 11. Stickney, Captain. 

Samuel T. Dubois. First Lieutenant. 

George Woodruff, Second Lieutenant. 

Charles F. Salkeld, First Sergeant. 

David W. Fry, Sergeant. 

Sylvester W. Randolph, 

Michael H. Swing, " 

Bowman H. Buck, " 

Daniel H. Dillon, Corporal. 

Samuel Harris, 

John C. Garrison, 

Smith Dalrymple, 

Davis B. Loder, 

Clarence Mulford, 

James W. Murphy '' 

Daniel B. Ginenback, 

Horace E. Loper, Fifer. 

William Painter, Drunnner. 

James Bright Wagoner. 



Pri'i'ates. 



Allen, Aaron M., 
Berger, Adolph, 
Briod, David S., 
Birdsall, Robert, 
Birdsall, Barnett, 
Brooks, Reuben, ' 
Bacon, Charles H., 
Blackson, Elias W., 



Barrett, Reuben T., 
Calverly, Thomas E., 
Crosier, Edmund R., 
Crandoll, Raymond D., 
Coles, Thomas P., 
Clark, David P., 
Clark, Henry, 
Cambloss, Furman, 



FIRST XEIV JERSEY BRIGADE. 



VXi 



Claj'ton, Joseph, 
Davis, Charles L., 
Davis, Thomas B., 
Dailey, James, 
Doyle, Daniel, 
Fadela}', Jonathan, 
Fogg, Smith J., 
Facemire, Jonathan H., 
Faurer, George, 
Grosscrop, Eldorado H., 
Galaspy, Robert, 
Harker, Levi J., 
Howell, William G., 
Huster, Josiah, 
Harris, Ethan P., 
Hill, John R, 
Husted, David B., 
Henderson, Charles H., 
Jackson, Robert, 
Jorden Charles T., 
Johnson, Gideon W., 
Keen, Thomas B., 
Layton, Joseph S., 
Levick, Richard C, 
Lore, Joab C, 
Moncrief, William, 
Mulford, William, 
Marts, Henry W., 
Mowers, John, 
McCullester, Charles, 
McDonald, Levi, 
Naglee, William, 
Nichols, Joshua R., 
Nichols, William, 
Ogden, John, 



Patchell, Samuel, 
Parvin, Daniel R., 
Parvin, Alexander M. 
Potts, Robert, 
Pew, Enoch B., 
Robinson, George, 
Royal, John, 
Ritner Philip, 
Stanley, Edward D., 
Stockton, Henry B., 
Sayre, Alexander, 
Sleit, George, 
Sheppard, Josiah F., 
Sheppard, Joseph B., 
Seymour, Henry, 
Thorward, John F., 
Thompson, John, 
Thompson, Joseph R. 
Tyler John M., 
Tyler, Benjamin F., 
Thomas, William A., 
Taylor, Matthias, 
Vansant, Robert M., 
Woodruff, Thomas M. 
Woodruff, Joseph R., 
Woodruff, James B., 
Wolf, George, 
Webb, Alexander H., 
Wells, Samuel W., 
Williams, Walter S., 
Williams, William H., 
Westcott, James G., 
Yearicks, David, 
Wright, Wesley T. 



COMPANY G. 

Peter F. Rogers, Captain. 

John Roberts 

Richard D. Cook, First Lieutenant. 

Arthur H. Hardcastle, Second Lieutenant. 

William C. Barnard 

Louis Fisher First Sergeant. 

Oscar Westlake. Sergeant. 

John Miller 

Peter T. Vanderveer, 

John C. Wiggins, 

Cornelius Van Zandt, Corporal. 

John S. Judd, 



498 FIRST Xmr JERSEY BRIGADE. 

Augustus C. Linclbley, Corporal. 

Edward Gaylord, " 

George H. Luce, " 

Theodore McCoy, 

Henry V. Love, " 

Jacob Crater, 

George W. Hines, '. Fifer. 

Jacob Hoack, Drummer. 

Martin Blanchard, Wagoner. 



Privates. 



Alliger, Peter S., 
Amerman, Woodhull, 
Apgar, Samuel, 
Bennett, John V., 
Bush, Martin, 
Bunn, Philip, 
Cassiday, Richard, 
Cummings, George C, 
Conover, Annanias M., 
Dunham, Joseph, 
Deitz, John L, 
Doyle, James, 
Drost, Abram P., 
Dixon, Daniel, 
Duryea, John, 
Fuller, William, 
French, Philip, 
Fenner George, 
Forgus, William S., 
Gethard, Andrew, 
Goodheart, Philip, 
Gulick, Joachim, 
Gibbons, D. Smith, 
Romans, Joseph, 
Hoagland, Christopher, 
Himus, John, 
Hill, Charles, 
Holler, Valentine, 
Hines, Thomas, 
Job, Adam, 
Kaley, Michael, 
Kahler, Louis. 
Kretchmere, Frederick, 
Kulp, Elias C, 
Keiser, John, 
KorzendofFer, Nicholas, 
Kelley, John, 
Lotourett, William, 
Lyncli. Christopher, 



Lawrence, Michael D., 
Little, William, 
Leatherman, John, 
Ladingberg, Henry, 
Leslie, Robert, 
Mayberry, Benjamin, 
McNair, Joseph, 
Myers, John, 
Myers, Samuel, 
McCarman, Francis, 
Norton, William, 
Orr, Tunis H., 
Overton, Stephen. 
O'Neil, Michael C, 
Phillips, Samuel, 
Rockafellow, Henry, 
Runyon, David T., 
Riddle, Lewis, 
Skillman, William, 
Steinkle, William, 
Space, John T., 
Snee, Dennis, 
Seal, Joseph, 
Spangle, Charles. 
Southard, William, 
Schill, Charles, 
Salmon, Samuel D., 
Templeton, John B., 
Turnor, James, 
Thompson, John, 
Tyler. Samuel, 
VanBuskirk, Jasper, 
Wilson, E. Augustus, 
Williamson, John, 
Woodruff. Caleb. 
Wheeland. Frank, 
Walters. Joseph T., 
Young, Joseph T., 
Young, David. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



499 



COMPANY H. 



William E. Bryan Captain. 

William Spence First Lieutenant. 

John Frantz, Second Lieutenant. 

Michael Devinney, First Sergeant. 

Elijah C. Gaskili, Sergeant. 

Michael Hogan 

Samuel Forker, 

John Bodine, 

William Kreeves. 

George Forker, Cortoral. 

Thomas Alcott, 

William Scott, 

AVilliam Collins, 

Thomas S. Collins, 

Robert F. Coleman, 

Michael McCarty, 

Theodore Pavnter 

TT Fifer. 

Isaac Henry 

„, , /-^ /^ ij Drummer. 

Theodore O. Gould 

,T T Aagoncr. 

Henry Leary, 

Privates. 

Adams, William, Dougherty Albert W., 

Archer, Alfred W., Edwards, George 

Ash, George, Everlockner, Michael, 

Akins, John, Ellis, John 

tC , t- T Ell s, Wi ham, 

Belcher, James, t^'"f' ' 

Brown, Benjamin, Fryb^rg William, 

Budd, William H., Floyd, George 

Borton, George H., Fly""' P/^"^^'^ 

Bradley, Arthur J., Far ey, Janies F., 

Bennett, Charles, ^f ^'^.ru ' 

-^ \ Tt Flew, William, 

Brown, Aaron F.. ' \ «• n 

■D T3i,;ii;o W Gangloff, George, 

Brown, Phillip vV., ^.,, t 

T^ AA Ai,^nV,om GiUmore, Isaac, 

Budden, Abraham, ' 

Cliver, James C. G., Glenn, William F., 

Chaney, William, 2'?JT w'niam H 

Cole. Samuel, Hubbard, William H., 

_ T51 •!,■„ Innmann, Jacob, 

Carr, Philip, , ,, ^,, 

^.,, r^u \ w Ivory, Matthew, 

Dillman, Charles H., y" ^' 

^ . Vi Tones, Moses W., 

Dennis, Thomas, J" ' 

^ . ^, , ir Johnson, George W ., 

Davis, Thomas 1'., ■>'^ ' 

TA ij -n^^ .A \ Jackson, Thomas, 

Dold, Edward A.. ■' ' . , ,,r 

Z, . r-i 1 - M Ke lev, Frederick W ., 

Dennis, Charles H., ^ -' 

^ , ^, , K ng, Mettlcr, 

Delaney. Charles. ^'' ^' 

T^ , T „ Leeson, John. 

Delaney, James. 



5lM I 



FIRST XEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



Lewis, Elwood, 
Lay ton, Steward, 
Layton, William, 
Lough ron, Hugh, 
Lynch, James F.. 
Myers, Thomas N., 
Middleton, John R., 
Myers, Jacob, 
McKelway, Isaiah, 
Mick. Michael, 
Meadows, John, 
Mudford, Walter, 
Middleton, Samuel, 
Myers, Harry P., 
Moore, John, 
Morrissey, Sickley, 
Matlack, John W., 
Newlin, Joseph, 
Neilson, Garvin, 
Poole, Thomas, 
Peterson, Hezekiah, 
Piatt, James M., 



Prickett, Henry C, 
Randall, Thomas M., 
Ray, James L., 
Poole, William, 
Ribaut, John, 
Ried, Charles. 
Scott, Oliver, 
Speel, Charles W.. 
Shamealy, Samuel S., 
Scowcroft. James H., 
Schuh, Daniel. 
Southard, John. 
Schrepple, William, . 
Shann, Frederick, 
Thomas, Aaron, 
Tatlow, James, 
Thompson, Samuel, 
Toon, Albert. 
Wiseman, James, 
Wark, John, 
Woolston, Michael. 



COMPANY T. 



Leonard H. Regur Captain^ 

Archy S. Taylor First Lieutenant. 

Lewis C. Spencer. Scco)id Lieutenant. 

Thomas J. Howell " " 

John E. Bedell First Ser,^eant. 

Samuel C. Terry Sergeant. 

Edward B. Tittsworth, 

William H. Martin. 

Owen H. Day 

Charles Swody, Corporal. 

Henry P. Meisick 

Daniel A. Terry " 

John W. Wheeler " 

John Hand 

Francis Whitely 

John Runyon, 

Joseph Cowrie *' 

Edward Nolen Fifcr. 

Peter Cassady, Drummer. 

Vincent Barklew, . .' JVagoncr. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



501 



Privates. 



Belt, David M., 
Bulmer, John, 
Brokaw, Isaac, 
Birch, Lewis, 
Blanchard, George, 
Blakely, Henry, 
Bloomfield, John, 
Badgeley, Amos, 
Brinintz, Anton, 
Bauman, John, 
Brokaw, Isaac L., 
Bryant, Apollos W., 
Cole, Stephen B., 
Compton, Reuben P., 
Coleman, John, ■ 
Cole, William H., 
Coblenizer, John G., 
Currier, Thomas, 
Cardy, Robert, 
Coffey, Barney, 
Cassady, George T., 
Dougherty, Michael, 
Drake, Jacob, 
Dunham, Randolph, 
English, James, 
Ellis, James, 
Force, Joseph L., 
Foster, William, 
Furguson, Howard, 
Goodwin, George, 
Gowen, Andrew J., 
Glenn, Harrison, 
Heyl, Daniel, 
Hinton, Thomas, 
Hedden, William, 
Howat, William, 
Harris, Thomas S., 
Harrigon, David, 
Howell, Earnest, 
Hoffman, William, 
Hobensack, Charles, 
Hamilton, John, 
Jewell, Isaac, 
Jurisch, Philip, 
Jaisir, Charles, 



Jordan, James, 
Kelley, George, 
Kennedy, Samuel C, 
Kelly, William, 
Klenn, Conrad, 
Kryssee, John, 
Linbarger, William, 
Litenberger, Alleys, 
Lawson, WiUiam, 
Maskell, John W., 
Mayberry, Francis, 
Moncton, Josiah, 
. Moore, Samuel S., 
McDonald, Thomas L. 
McGaw, Henry H., 
Messier; John, 
McGowin, Wintieid S., 
Mooney, John, 
Neil, George, 
Orcott, Hosea, 
Townley, George, 
Pangborn, Lewis, 
Purvis, John, 
Perry, Anton H., 
Runyon, Victor B., 
Skellenger, James, 
Seacor, Walter S.. 
Spooner, William, 
Stark, Jacob, 
Tool, John, 
Vail, James, 
Van Neste, John B., 
Wilson, David W., 
Walpole, Robert, 
Walker, Runyon, 
Whitegrove. Scidney, 
Webster, William M., 
Wallace, William, 
Welsh, James, 
West, William M., 
Waldron, Freeman, 
Wall, Frank, 
White, Benjamin, 
Wittes, Israel D.. 
Wolfe, William W. 



33 



F B 



502 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



COMPANY K. 

John H. Whelan Captain. 

John B. Lutz, First Lieutenant. 

David Fairly Second Lieutenant. 

Paul Carroll, First Sergeant. 

William Hade Sergeant. 

Lawrence Trapp " 

Michael Dugan 

Charles Wahle 

Wilson T. Mitchell, Corporal. 

Andrew Forsyth, 

Charles B. Keimig 

Nicholas Winer, 

John D. Curran, 

Robert Carroll, 

James McLeod 

Peter Keller, 

Andrew J. Petit, Drummer. 

Robert Rea, Wagoner. 



Privates. 



Ash, Henry, 
Beatty, George L., 
Behrens, Charles, 
Birmingham, Patrick, 
Broderick, Thomas, 
Bushing, Frederick, 
Clark, William, 
Connelly, James, 
Crooks, William, 
Cunningham, Michael, 
Cross, Conrad, 
Coy, Peter D.. 
Cotter, John G., 
Callaghan, Thomas, 
Crowthers, Thomas, 
Davey, John, 
Deneyard, Lewis D., 
Daner, David, 
Daly, Andrew, 
Diamond, Daniel, 
Eckenheimcr, Charles, 
Egan, Patrick, 
Euler, Henrj'. 
Engel, Mathias, 
Ford, William, 
Flynn, William, 



Grinley, Patrick, 
Gannon, Robert 1.. 
Gaughran, Philip, 
Gray, Andrew, 
Garvin, Owen. 
Gaffne}', James, 
Garry, William, 
Hassett, Thomas, 
Hank, Peter, 
Harrigan, Dennis. 
Haynes, Frederick, 
Hackett, Joseph, 
Hurley, James, 
Kiihler, Herman, 
Kidroff, John, 
Kuhan, Lawrence, 
Keernan, Michael, 
Kelly, James, 
Laverty, Hugh, 
Mangan, Patrick, 
Masterson, Cornelius, 
Murphy, Walter, 
McGovern, Edward, 
Mulick, Connor. 
Mervin, William, 
McCormick, Thomas, 



J-IRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



503 



McCracken, Alexander, 
McDermott, Walter, 
McDonald, Dennis, 
McDonald, Daniel, 
McElroy, Patrick, 
McGarine, Peter, 
McKenna, John, 
McLaughlan, James, 
Moore, Jacob M., 
Ogden, John, 
O'Neil, Thomas, 
Penn, Joseph, 
Rap, George, 
Rogers, Henry, 
Russell, Patrick, 
Schaus, Henry, 
Sheridan, James, 



Starrs, James, 
Stead, Thomas, 
Stuckey, Jacob, 
Stuckey, John, 
Stewart, James, 
Stalbird, George, 
Stoner, William, 
Steinberg, John, 
Seeton, William H. 
Sweeney, William, 
Speer, Alexander, 
Sondeigger, John, 
Sullivan, William, 
Toole, Michael, 
Ward, William, 
Zahn, Charles, 
Zettler, John. 



Fourth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers. 



COMPANY A. 

Charles Moves ;, .Captain 

Charles Meyers, ^"'-^^ Ueutenani. 

Charles Linsenbarth, -^^'''■^"'^ Ucfcant 

Fritz Schroder, P"''' ^''-^'""^ 

Theodore Schreiber, ■'' ^''f «'"■ 

Frederick Mooll, 

Theodore Krugg 

John Mergenthaler, 

■L, J T-M Corporal. 

Edward Eike, '.. 

Johan Greipp, 

Charles Helmouth 

Ivan Vittin 

Gottfried Wittmann 

Peter Cox, 

George Schuh 

John Miller, 

Conrad Seebalt 

T,- , ^ Drummer. 

Adam Rickert 

Jacob Fleck, ^^'^S""'- 



504 



IIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



Privates. 



Atshead, John, 
Adder, Christian, 
Burger, Christian, 
Burkhardt, John, 
Brombacher, George, 
Bonder, Lewis, 
Braidy, Joseph, 
Bauer, Frederick, 
Diehl, John, 
Diehl, Christian, 
Effinger, Martin, 
•Fecht, Franz, 
Fermann, Charles, 
Fahndrick, Kilian, 
Finger, Heinrich, 
Gundling, Ludowing, 
Gundling, John, 
Gattatin, Jacob, 
Hirsch, Jacob, 
Hambrecht, Charles, 
Heitmann, Carl, 
Hucke, Jacob, 
Heinrickur, Valentine, 
Hatchmer, George, 
Hollzman, George, 
Hubbert, Manuel, 
Krause, John E., 
Kunz, Wendel, 
Klemont, Albert, 
Krause, Christian. 
Klaffler, Rudolph, 
Louis, John, 
Lenk, Johann, 
Lutz, Charles, 



Lipp, Joseph, 
Metz, George, 
Meiter, George, 
McMann, Thomas, 
Nahrgang, Leonard, 
Orick, Christopher, 
Rhemhart, Henry, 
Reinhardt, Ludowig, 
Roth, Johann, 
Rosch, Conrad, 
Rothe, Jacob, 
Snyder, Daniel W., 
Sehach, John, 
Schmidt, Johann, 
Schaub, Sebastian, 
Stricke, Henry, 
Schrick, George, 
Schempp, ^Michael, 
Schlatter, Joseph, 
Spitz, William, 
Schirm, Joseph, 
Snyder, William, 
Schneider, Joseph, 
Stockton, Johnson, 
Treide, George, 
Weinknecht, Johann, 
Wheeler, Jesse, 
Woerner, Charles, 
Woerner, John, 
Wessler, Andrew, 
Wolfe, Anthony, 
Wessler, Christopher, 
White, Charles H. 



COMPANY P.. 

William Sedden Captain. 

Robert S. Johnston, First Lieutenant. 

John R. Warner Second Lieutenant. 

John J. Munday, First Sergeant. 

Jacob Oysterman Sergeant. 

John Machine, " 

Duncan AIcKenzie, " 

William Buckman " 

Charles J. Boye Corporal 

Robert Ellis, 



FIRST NBIV JERSEY BRIGADE. 

Thomas McWerthy, Corporal. 

John Farrell, . . . 

Joseph Lawton, 

Alfred Hoffman 

Robert Aitkin, 

Harry Lawton 

Joseph Harrington, Drummer. 

Orran Burbank, ^^'^l^''- 

Joseph Richardson, IVagoner. 



505 



Privates. 



Anderson, John, 
Allen, James, 
Anderson, Edward M., 
Allen, Thomas W., 
Anson, Charles, 
Acker, George, 
Beech, Joseph, 
Beech, John, 
Bairlow, John, 
Cunningham, Jerome, 
Carr, George, 
Conerli, William, 
Curran, Patrick, 
Cooper, William, 
Cooper, Thomas, 
ConsoUoy, Lewis, 
Davis, Charles, 
Dougherty, Robert, 
English, Charles, 
Far ran, Anthony. 
Fielding, Isaac, 
Farrell, Samuel, 
Forbes, Eugene, 
Foster, L Andrew, 
Gaskill, Abner, 
Gilden, John, 
Hall, Samuel S., 
Hagermautt, Charles H., 
Harrison, Harmit, 
Howard, George M., 
Heath, Elijah, 
Hamill, William, 
Hill, William W., 
Howard, Edward B., 
Horner, Lafayette, 
Jager, William, 
Kite, John, 



Klemmer, Jacob, 
Kelly, John H., 
Leonard, Thomas, 
Lanning, Edward S., 
Lanning, Samuel, 
Leak, Joel W., 
McLaughlin, Hugh, 
Morris, John, 
Mendham, William, 
McKeavey, Arthur, 
Mitchell, Abner, 
McLaughlin, Hugh, 
Nelson, John, 
Owen, Ralph, 
Pattison, John, 
Peimle, Joseph, 
Polk, David, 
Parent, Jacob, 
Phares, James, 
Richards, John H., . 
Reynolds, Francis, 
Ryan, Christopher, 
Smith, Alexander, 
Smith, Jonathan B., 
Talford, Joseph, 
Tindal, Richard, 
Voorhees, William, 
Voorchees, John E., 
Vanhorn, John, 
Vaughn, John, 
Voorhes, Amos, 
Weaton, William, 
Warren, Reuben B., 
Wilson, John F., 
Walker, Jeremiah, 
Wood, John, 
Wentworth, James. 



oOG 



llRSr XEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



C():srPAXY c. 

Barzillae Ridgevvav , Cap'tain. 

Heathcote J. Disbrow 

Calvin P. Speer, First Lieutenant. 

Robert W. Roberts Second Lieutenant. 

Caleb C. Van Syckle, First Sergeant. 

Edgar Whitaker, Sergeant. 

Sheffield Tuesday " 

John McHowsell, " 

Joseph A. Taylor, " 

Benjamin Moorehouse Coporal. 

William B. Van Duyn, " 

George McChesney, " 

John Ashworth, " 

George A. Pettit " 

Pierson Scott, " 

Jacob Clendening " 

Aaron C. Wolcott, " 

David R. Weigart, , Wagoner. 



Privates. 



Atkin, Samuel, 
Amer, Nathan, 
Ashworth, Thomas, 
Banks, William H., 
Boon, Thomas, 
Bellenger, Joseph. 
Berthc, Engleberth, 
Blue, Samuel, 
Beam, John, 
Beaks, Samuel, 
Cheeseman, William, 
Cherry, George H., 
Cain, William H., 
Case, Charles P., 
Carren, Patrick, 
Dye, Isaac, 
DesbroviT, Albert, 
Eereet, Daniel, 
Freeman, Amos G., 
Flash, Andrew, 
Fairman, William A., 
Fletcher, William G., 
Fitzpatrick, William, 
Garrettson, Dumont, 
Gorman, Charles, 
Green, Anderson, 



Gladden, Joseph, 
Garvey, Samuel, 
Huk, Charles, 
Hutchinson, Clark, 
Halligan, James, 
Houghton, Michael, 
Holly, Patrick, 
Hindley, George, 
Jaggeis, George, 
Jones, Theodore, 
Jackson, Mathew, 
Jones, Charles, 
Judy, George H., 
Ivory, Richards, 
Judlej-, George, 
Kafer, Charles, 
Kolb, Michael, 
Kain, Patrick, 
Kearney, James, 
Lynn, Courtland, 
Lee, George W., 
Lynn, Charles, 
Lacy, William, 
Lawrence, Richard L.; 
Lampe, John, 
Lukenmires, Asay, 



I'IRSr XEIV JERSEY BRIGADE. 



507 



Macredy, Edward, 
Murphy, Peter, 
McDonald, John O., 
Mitchell, Steward, 
Matthews, William, 
McGarvey, Samuel, 
Nunnemaker, Garrett, 
Nunnemaker, Elias, 
Parsons, John, 
Powell, S. Mayume, 
Parsen, Amos, 
Parson, William, 
Parent, Richard, 
Pullen, James, 
Quackenbush, James, 
Reed, Anthony A., 
Robertson, Garret L., 
Rogers, Henry F., 
Ryan, Robert, 
Roe, John, 

Richards, Thomas J., 
Rugle, Samuel, 
Stubbins, George H., 
Shardlow, William, 



Speece, Henry, 
Sever, Joseph L., 
Sherry, Jacob, 
Sever, George F., 
Spence, Henry. 
Stock, James, 
StuU, Samuel, 
Stradling, James H., 
Sheely, William E., 
Southard, Lewis, 
Trainer, John, 
Tompkins, Robert, 
Tremble, Edward, 
Vanacker, John, 
Vanmorten, Jacob, 
Vanderbeck, James, 
Vanmeter, Eli, 
Vanderventer, John W. 
Whitaker, George, 
Wells, John, 
Watts, Washington U., 
Wilson, Charles, 
WiUiams, Thomas, 
Wells, James. 



COMPANY D. 

Samuel Mulford .i ' ' ' V.-^f '"'"■ 

BarziUa Ridgway, ^^/'^ Ueutenaut. 

Elias Wright, ^ , ^ . ^ . 

-,. , ,,, „• . .Second Lieutenant. 

John W. Pierson, •^' r-- .c t 

% A -D 4-(- Eirst Sergeant. 

George A. Bennett, *> 

^ .J T^, Sergeant. 

David Flannery, ., 

John Robbins, ,< 

Harrison Hopkins, '■ „ 

WilHam H. Bechtel, 

Corporal. 

John Duran, 

John Piper, 

John Mulnix, „ 

Liscombe Mulford, 

Samuel McCully, 

Israel Ulmer, 

John Warner, 

Levi Purcell, Wagoner. 

Theodore Joiies [....Drummer. 

Maskell Mulford, 



508 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



Privates. 



Ackerson, William H., 
Austin, Benjamin, 
Boyle, Michael, 
Bellerjeau, Samuel O., 
Bacon, Anthony, 
Blakely, Joseph. 
Brund, Edward, 
Bishop, Eugene, 
Blockwell, Edwin C, 
Brown, George E., 
Cray, James, 
Cusick, William, 
Carver, Gustavus, 
Counard, John, 
Cain, Thomas, 
Cornley, Daniel, 
Cafer, Thomas 
Conner, James, 
Crowler, John, 
Chamer, William H., 
Cragg, John A., 
Cray, John, 
Dobbins, John, 
Dowerty, William, 
Dougherty, Lewis, 
Dolan, Barney, 
Drummond, James, 
Devine, Samuel, 
Emly, Joseph, 
French, Paul, 
Fowler, Curtis, 
Gray, Jeremiah, 
Glassmire, Charles, 
Guyer, David, 
Hart, Thomas, 
Hancock, James, 
Harvey, Thomas, 
Harris, Henry W., 
Henry, Francis, 
Howell, Isaac, 
Innman, William, 
Jarvis, William C, 
Johnson, John H.. 



Jackson, James. 
Jobes, John B.. 
Jones, William C, 
Keefe, Thomas, 
Lanning, Philip. 
Logan, David, 
Leach, Nicholas, 
Letts, Thomas, 
Laverman, George, 
Murry, Alfred. 
Mullenix, William, 
McKendrick, William, 
McMannis, John, 
Marett, Michael, 
McDermott, Luke, 
McKenna, Philip, 
Mills, W^illiam E., 
McKenny, John A., 
McManus, Michael, 
Neal, Theodore, 
Norton, James, 
O'Neil, James, 
Parker, Daniel, 
Peters, John W., 
Post, Cornelius G., 
Robbins, William, 
Roe, William, 
Roll, Anthony, 
Scullion, Patrick, 
Spain, William, 
Skinner, Franklin H., 
Skinner, Charles W., 
Smith, John. 
Stout, William D, 
Staats, John, 
Skillman, Harrison A. 
Scullion, Peter. 
Severn, John M.. 
Skillman, Franklin, 
Vandorn, Isaac, 
Vaughn, John. 
Wheelan. John. 
Whittev. John W. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



509 



COMPANY E. 

Charles Hale, Captain. 

William H. Eldridge, First Lieutenant. 

Samuel H. Ellis, Second Lieutenant. 

George Brooks First Sergeant. 

James Roberts, Sergeant. 

William Gould, 

William Snyder, " 

Thomas Makin, 

Charles Tippenhauer, Corporal. 

Charles Gould, 

Charles C. Hale, 

George Jauss, " 

Randolph R. Pool, 

Edward C. Nelson, " 

Charles Ludlow, " 

Peter J. Clancey, " 

John A. Kane, Fifer. 

Edward Strickland, Drummer. 

Joseph W. Vance, Wagoner. 



Privates. 



Alberton, Isaac, 
Borton, Stacy, 
Buzby, Samuel, 
Brown, John, 
Bassett, William, 
Blue, xAbraham O., 
Carson, Samuel, 
Capern, Thomas H., 
Carson, William I., 
Crispin John H., 
Crawford, William, 
Chew, George B., 
Dick, John, 
Dusolt, John, 
Espenshade, William, 
Eisely, Frederick, 
Fauver, Robert R., 
Fithian, David E., 
Fries, Thomas, 
Garby, Henry, 
Hallonill, George 
Hensen, James, 
Haines, Ely, 
Haines, Daniel, 
Hollinshead, Clayton, 



Holmes, Isaac, 
Hofifman, George W., 
Jones, Benjamin, 
Kelly, Edward E., 
Klinker, Frederick, 
K!ay, Benajah, 
Kline, Michael, 
ICibler, Frank, 
Kebler, Leonard, 
Krusen George, 
Kelley, Alezar, 
McKenny, Tole, 
Martin, Henry, 
Morrow, Charles, 
Madegon, John, 
Moore, William, 
Muss, Casper A., 
Potis, William, 
Petit, Benjamin, 
Pfau, George H., 
Rumford, Davis, 
Ross, George, 
Robbinson, Eli E., 
Richmond, Mathias, 
Smith, Samuel, 



510 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



Smith, John, 
Smith, Felix, 
Stark, William, 
Snyder, William, 
Shute, Theodore, 
Skellinger, Charles K., 
Thompson, Stacy, 
Thompson, Alfred, 
Vickery, John, 
Woodruff, Alfred, 
Wiltshire, George, 
Warner, Benjamin, 
White, Simon W., 
Wells, James H., 



Wolfsmidt, Jacob, 
Walton, Elijah B., 
Wilson, John, 
Welsh, James H., 
Wood, Jonas, 
Wilsey, Brazier, 
Wells, Samuel, 
Webb, Martin, 
Williams, John, 
Wells, Joseph, 
Woodland, Henry, 
Wilson, John, 
Wells, Charles, 
Roberts, Adam C. 



COMPANY F. 

Napoleon B. Aaronson Captain. 

Thomas M. Fetter, First Lieutenant. 

Frederick G. Aaronson, Second Lieutenant. 

Frank E. Thaley, First Sergeant. 

John Dimon, Sergeant. 

Thomas W. Mooney, " 

James C. Sloan, 

David D. Hamell, Corporal. 

Valentine W. Brown, " 

Richard F. Stone, " 

George F. Gesemyer, " 

John E. Holeton, " 

William McEllhary, " 

James Hortlen, " 

John R. McCowan, " 

Ashby B. Lucas, Fifer. 

James Carter, Drummer. 

Walter B. Ayers, Wagoner. 



Privates. 



Archer, Charles R., 
Alden, Henry, 
Abbott, Jonathan, 
Briggs, William H., 
Bates, Joseph, 
Bakeley, Joseph, 
Bakelej', Charles, 
Brown, Harry W., 
Beckitt, Joseph A., 
Brown, John P., 
Bakely, Steward D., 
Brewster, James, 



Bwdd, George, 
Bourtead, Joseph, 
Bakeley, Miles, 
Biddle, Abel, 
Chew, George W., 
Cotner, John W., 
Craner, Charles C. C 
Coote, William, 
Dorrell, Joseph C, 
Elbertson, John, 
Estlock, Franklin, 
Eldridge, William G. 



lURST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 511 

Fish, Charles P., Mead, William T., 

Flanigan, Harrison, McLaughlin, Thomas, 

Gouger, Charles, ' Nessen, Jacob, 

Galbreth, James, O'Brien, Henry, 

Grub, John R., Potts, Thomas, 

Hensman, Henry F., Price, Burton, 

Howell, Horatio, Sturgess, John S., 

Hand, Joseph, Sawn, Thomas D., 

Hilman, William H., Scott, George W., 

Horner, Francis, Slevan, David, 

Jess, Bowers, Stark, Eleazer, 

Jess, Lorenzo, Sturgess, Jacob, 

Jewell, Charles H., Souders, Frank, 

King, William B., Schy, Clement, 

Killenbeck, Joshua, Shetts, Washington, 

Laurence, Jacob D., Stevens, Thomas S., 

Lenn, George W.. Test, Charles L., 

Louderbock, William, Tibbels, John C, 

Logan, John, Ware, Joseph F., 

Linton, Benjamin, Wilky, William F., 

Moseley, Edward, Yapp, Richard. 

COMPANY G. 

Henrv M. Jewett Captain. 

Samuel M. Gaul Pi^ft Lieutenant. 

Elias Wright 

Edgar Whitaker Second Lieutenant. 

Samuel E. Taylor Pirst Sergeant. 

Isaac J. Pine, Sergeant. 

Joseph H. Martin, 

John E. Doughty, 

Joseph M. Caviller, 

Leander Houtland, Corporal. 

John P. Grant, 

George W. Thompson, ^^ 

Richard R. Robbins, 

Samuel S. Steward, 

John M. Cramer 

Peter Laricks, 

Israel Nichols ^ 

^ 1 iv/r ri 1 Drummer. 

Frank M. Gaul, 

r , -n Wagoner. 

John Boggs 

Privates. 

Anderson, Wallace W., Amet, John 

Austin, John H., ^^^'n^^^ ' 

Applegate. William, Bird, Thomas^ 

Atkinson, Phineas, Bird, Elisha B., 

Adams, Joseph, Bird, Gilbert, 



512 



FIRST NEir JERSEY BRIGADE. 



Bender, Lewis, Love, Robert 

Bailej', Stephen, Luck, Joseph, 

Bunting, James H., Leek, Charles W., 

Brown, Charles R., Miller, Thomas, 

Clifford, Lionel, Mathis, John D., 

Carter, Charles B., Mathis, Isaac R., 

Carter, Samuel B., Morey, Exel, 

Camp, John W., Mulaca, Parker, 

Crowley, William H., Mason, Daniel, 

Connelly, Joseph, Miller, Alfred H., 

Cavilcer, John C, Morton, Benjamin, 

Cavileer, Samuel H., Morton, Hezekiah, 

Carter, Lafayette, McCullum, Samuel \V., 

Channell, William H., Nichols, John S., 

Cavileer, William E., Xagent, James H., 

Dick, Jasper W., Nichols, Alonzo B., 

Doughty, Benjamin B., Perrine, Joseph 

Fisher, Samuel B., Pine, Robert, 

Ford, Samuel C, Purrington, DelKvyn, 

Ford, Joseph, Pharo, Charles, 

Gaul, John F., Saudors, Alfred, 

Gardner, Aaron, Snow, James R., 

Goff, William, Turner, Byard E., 

Gifford, Isaac, Woodward, Charles, 

Gabrial, Wail, Woodward, Walter, 

Harris, John F., Weeks, William H., 

Johnson, Elmer, Wescott, Joseph R., 

Johnson, Elisha, Webb, Alfred, 

Kears, William P.. Walson, Lewis. 
Kendall, Joseph, 

COMPANY H. 

John Reynolds, Captain. 

Thomas R. Grapewine, First Lieutenant. 

James F. Lowe, Second Lieutenant. 

Charles H. Hatch, ' 

Joshua J. Stone First Sergeant. 

Thomas S. Bonney, Sergeant. 

William Scribbier, 

William H. Wagner, '" 

Josiah Shaw, 

Charles W. Lowe, Corporal. 

John Dannenburger, 

George J. Raybold, " 

Benjamin F. Mitchell, '" 

George W. Marshall, 

Abraham M. Tice, 

Edward S. Kane, 

Joseph R. Wells, 

James F. Higgins, Fifer. 

James Matson Drummer. 

Joseph Thomas Wagoner. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



)13 



Privates. 



Bozarth, Thomas, 
Brown, David A., 
Boris, Francis R., 
Cassaboon, George H., 
Champion, John, 
Conly, Joseph, 
Currie, Charles, 
Doughty, Davis, 
Doughty, Abijah, 
Estlack, Jesse, 
Fleet, Thomas, 
Green, Joseph, 
Garrison, George, 
Gebbs, William, 
Hodgson, Thomas, 
Johnson, William, 
Leek, William, 
Lanigan, John, 
McClinn, John, 
McClure, John, 
McPherson, Lewis, 
Mossbrooks, George W., 
Messic, George W., 
Marts, Zachariah, 
Marshall, J. W., 
Matson, James, 



Myers, George, 
Pancost, John B., 
Perney, Lewis, 
Potter, Charles W., 
Robart, Elwood, 

Surran, David, 

Schanck, John, 

Schwartz, Charles, 

Smith, James, 

Scott, Archibald, 

Snyder, Andrew R-, 

Schenck, William, 

Tice, Archibald, 

Tice, Laniard, 

Thompson, Eli, 

Thompson, Sheppard. 

Thompson, Thomas, 

Thomas, Felix, 

Thomas, Walter B., 
Upham, Benjamin F., 
Vanhook, John, 
Vanhook, Joseph, 
Wells, James B., 
Walters, John W., 
Wescott, Williams, 
Zimmerman, Jacob. 



COMPANY L 

. .Captain. 

William Nippins, -^.^^^ lieutenant. 

John L. Ridgeway ^^^^^^^ Lieutenant. 

Howard Kmg p.^,^^ Sergeant. 

Joseph Haveland Sergeant. 

Charles H. Glenn 

James Bewin, " 

Walter Chamberd ' 

Thomas Painter, " ' ' Corporal. 

Samuel Crosy, 

Caleb W. Wright ' ■ ' ' ' 

Leander Bewin, 

Peter ShemeUa, 

George Aikins, ' 

William Eckart, 

Charles Hill, ' ' ' ' / ' 

Charles Johnson Wagoner. 

Charles Laird, 



514 



FIRST XEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



Privates. 



Applebee, Samuel, 
Boxer, Joseph, 
Boetine, William, 
Barber, Benjamin, 
Brown, Joseph, 
Brown, John, 
Brighton, Isaiah, 
Bradley, Martin, 
Bishop, Joshua, 
Bell, George, 
Boyle, Michael, 
Clark, George W., 
Cook, Levi W., 
Cobb, Ambrose, 
Clevenger, William, 
Clevenger, (/eorge, 
Cline, John, 
Cline, Charles P, 
Cithcart, John, 
Cithcart, Stephen, 
Caffry, Alexander, 
Crammer, Isaac, 
Donohoe, Cornelius, 
Fowler, Thomas, 
Gaskill, George B., 
Girk, James M., 
Green, Thomas. 
Grooms, Charles W., 
Geberson, James, 
Hains, Charles H., 
Horner, Rheese, 
Hughes, Woodson, 
Herbert, William. 
Hooper, John. 
High, Andrew, 
Hodson, Charles, 
Hoffman, Stephen, 
Hoffman, Jacob. 
Hoffman, Frederick, 
Keeler, Samuel B., 
Kaine, James, 
Kirbv, John, 



King, John, 
King, Joseph. 
Kingsinger, Job, 
Leonard, Peter, 
Latchworth, John, 
Lutz, John C, 
Moon, Charles F., 
More, Charles S., 
McCarney, John, 
IMcNabb, Owen, 
Mathew, Thomas, 
Muckery, John, 
Mitchell, Walter, 
More, John F., 
Morton, John A., 
Norcross, Earl, 
Nixon, William, 
Nixon, Elwood, 
Nixon, Daniel, 
Pittman, Augustus, 
Price, John, 
Powell, George D., 
Russell, Henry, 
Roff, Robert, 
Roff, John W., 
Stetts, Adam, 
Scroggy, Joseph, 
Shandly, John A., 
Streeker, Burrough, 
Stidfoe, Benjamin, 
Shinn, Josiah, 
Stockton, Job, 
Shermelia, John F.. 
Shermelia, Isaac H., 
Seaman, William. 
Twigley, Jackson. 
Woodington, Hnnen. 
Wood, James. 
White, William E., 
Young, Joseph. 
Yates, George. 



FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE. 



515 



COMPANY K. 

John W. Lumley, Captain. 

William Stillings, First Lieutenant. 

Charles W. Johnson, Second Lieutenant. 

Norman W. Camp, " 

John M. Mills, First Sergeant. 

John Foster, Sergeant. 

Joseph Kelly, '• 

William S. Ackley " 

Daniel Nelson, Corporal 

Edward Smith, 

James Chester, " 

Shepperd Flannigan, " 

John Cambell, Drummer. 

Frederick Moore, Wagoner 

Privates. 

Arnett, John G., Kirkpatrfck, William, 
Arnett, William, . Kates, George, 

Abbott, Robert, Keen, Gideon, 

Armstrong, William, Loper, Enoch G., 

Branideth, George, Lewis, Joseph M., 

Bright, Isaac S., Moslander, Daniel, 

Brown, George W., Merrion, Thomas, 

Cropp, Timothy, Morgan, Isaac, 

Cordey, Enoch, McMain, John W., 

Coalman, Henry, Newman, George W., 

Cassady, James, Orr, Samuel, 

Chamberlain, James, Orr, Charles, 

Cobb, Thomas, Peterson, Alonzo, 

Conway, John, Palmer, William, 

Curtin, Martin V., Perry, Thomas, 

Corlis, Robert C, Poltsen, Edward, 

Correy, Robert C, Price, John P., 

Drummond, John, Parmer, William, 

Doughty, Isaac, Sparks, James P.. 

Dubois, Isaac, Stanley, William W., 

Elwell, Samuel E., Sargent, John, 

Forney, Josiah F., Sharp, John S., 

Frees, Charles H., Shute, Isaac, 

Ghalegar, John, Shute, Thomas, 

Gleason, John, Shute, John, 

Hartman, George W., Seeds, Andrew, 

Hurley, David, ' Simmons, Frank, 

Hancock, Edward, Simpkins, Richard T., 

Huit, Joseph, Smith, George R., 

Hale, Richard, Unison, John W., 

Hankins, Jacob, Vickers, John, 

Jones, Amos, Vanzant, Henry K., 

Keen, Peter, Wright, James A., 

Kigor, Richmond, Wright, Jeremiah. 



63 4 






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